Kyoto a 'Go'

Russian Cabinet Approves Global Warming Treaty, Sends to Parliament for Ratification

Posted: 30-Sep-2004; Updated: 27-Aug-2007

Russia's green light of the Kyoto Protocol paves the way toward putting into force the first international law to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, the leading contributor to global warming. The one remaining step for Kyoto to go into effect is approval by the Russian parliament, the State Duma.

"It's not over until the fat lady sings, but it certainly seems she is clearing her throat in anticipation," said Peter Goldmark, director of Environmental Defense's Climate and Air Program.

	Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) has moved his nation towards ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the global warming treaty from which the Bush administration has excluded the United States' participation.

Authorization by the Duma, which is dominated by Putin's United Russia party, is widely expected. The Tass News Agency quoted Alexander Bedritsky, head of Russia's Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, as saying, "Russia will not lose out by ratifying the protocol; in future it may either win or lose, but will win if it acts rationally."

Alexander Golub, senior economist at Environmental Defense who has been working on international efforts to cut carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and other gases, concurs: "Russia is expected to ratify the measure. There is wide understanding in Russia that the Kyoto Protocol will benefit the economy, while improving public health and saving lives," he said.

Once the Duma approves ratification, all systems are go for the 100-plus countries that have signed onto the treaty to begin reducing their GHG emissions.

"Switching On" the Treaty

Russia, which accounts for some 17 percent of worldwide GHG emissions, holds the key to switching on the treaty whose two main prongs are capping GHG emissions and the flexibility to meet the GHG constraints.

To go into effect, 55 Parties to the Convention must ratify the Protocol whose combined 1990 emissions of carbon dioxide exceed 55 per cent of that group's total.

The Protocol's structure is designed to achieve GHG emissions reductions in the 2008-2012 timeframe with significant reductions in cost and (in the case of the Russian Federation) with direct and ancillary economic benefits.

In studying and helping to craft the Kyoto treaty, Environmental Defense has found that Russia's emissions budget under the Kyoto Protocol was extremely well negotiated and represents an important new resource for the Russian Federation. Robust economic growth in Russia will not "use up" Russia's allocation of Kyoto Protocol emissions allowances. On the contrary, participation in the Protocol will enable Russia to help finance its economic growth during the Kyoto timeframe. Thursday's move puts these predicted economic and environmental boons closer to reality.

"If Russia does ratify, it will be the opening bell for a new and fateful set of negotiations, with Russia and Europe facing China and the U.S. in a critical dialogue over how to cut greenhouse gas pollution but still allow the increases in energy generation needed for economic growth, said Goldmark. "This dialogue will involve all the large economies of the world and President Putin has now assured himself a key seat at that table."

While the United States bowed out of the treaty in 2001, the Duma's anticipated ratification of Kyoto will put Russia in a position of key global leadership on an issue of worldwide importance.

Today Klaus Toepfer, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said that Russia's ratification would spur innovative solutions such as cleaner fuels, more energy-efficient power generation and renewable energies such as wind, solar and wave power.

"Russian policy-makers understand that participating in Kyoto's emissions trading market can help attract new investment to make Russia's energy infrastructure more efficient and less polluting," said Dan Dudek, Environmental Defense chief economist.

Russian ratification will launch the Kyoto Protocol's global market for trading reductions in emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In that market, those who come up with better, cheaper, faster ways to reduce GHG pollution will be able to sell pollution reductions to others who find it more costly to make reductions. Experience with other pollutants indicates that this market-based approach can help nations and businesses meet greenhouse gas reduction targets in an extremely cost-efficient manner.

"[Thursday's news marks] the first clear sign since May that Russia is committed to taking the steps to usher in the age of carbon limits and climate stabilization," said Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp. "Sadly this leaves the U.S. isolated in its refusal to join the international effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollution." 
 

Find Out More
	Russian Cabinet Backs Kyoto Pact - Washington Post article (10/01/04)
	With Russia's Nod, Treaty of Emissions Clears Last Hurdle - New York Times article (10/01/04)
	Russia's Path to Kyoto - Business Week article (10/01/04)
	Kyoto Treaty Nearing Implementation, Without U.S. - Scripps Howard News Service article (9/30/04)
	Effect of Kyoto Protocol Debated Again - Cox News Service article (9/29/04)
	The Dangers of Climate Change and the Benefits for the Russian Federation of Participating in the Kyoto Protocol (4/19/04)