18 September 2003 14:05
Russia MPs end hopes of ratifying Kyoto soon
Russian parliamentarians ended hopes they will ratify the Kyoto protocol soon, saying on Thursday that Moscow needed to approach the issue gradually and examine its impact on the national economy.
Russia's ratification of the protocol that aims to cut emissions of gases causing global warming is vital if the treaty is to come into force worldwide.
Russian deputies from parliamentary committees dealing with ecological and economic issues met European parliament counterparts to discuss ratification of the pact. "The Russian deputies upheld the opinion of the government, which thinks we should approach ratification gradually," said a statement from the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
Under the treaty, countries responsible for 55 percent of emissions must ratify before it comes into force. The United States, by far the world's biggest polluter, has pulled out of the pact, meaning Russia, which accounts for 17 percent of emissions, must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.
The economy ministry has said the pact would not harm Russia's business interests, but the Duma deputies said they still needed to examine its potential effect on the economy. "The deputies... said it is necessary to examine the whole problem of Kyoto ratification, not just in its ecological aspect, but also studying the economic interests of the country," the statement said.
The European Union, which has ratified the protocol, has tried to encourage Russia to ratify it and many supporters of the treaty had hoped the country's parliament would vote to approve it by the start of a Moscow environmental conference on September 29.
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