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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations her Department has conducted on the ratification of the Kyoto Accord. [183081] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 13 July 2004]: The UK ratified the Kyoto Protocol, along with the rest of the EU, in May 2002. The Kyoto Protocol is a crucial first step in developing an effective international regime on climate change and we continue to encourage all countries that have not yet done so to ratify. In order to enter into force the Protocol must be ratified by at least 55 countries including developed countries that account for 55 per cent. of this group's greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. Because of the withdrawal of the United States from the Protocol in 2001, entry into force requires ratification by Russia, responsible for 17.4 per cent. of developed countries' greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. This Department along with others continues to urge Russia to ratify as soon as possible. We believe there are strong economic as well as environmental advantages to Russia of ratification and put these across at every opportunity. We welcomed President Putin's positive statement on 21 May that in light of progress made in WTO negotiations he would accelerate movement towards ratification.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

183081; 423 c1339W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Air pollution Climate change Developing countries Environment protection Pollution control Climate Change Convention

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk