media advisory
friends of the earth international
friday 22 october 2004
russian parliament approves climate
treaty
Friends of the Earth International has
welcomed today's vote in favour of the Kyoto
climate treaty by the Russian Duma's lower
house of parliament [1].
If Russia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol –
which now seems highly likely – the treaty
will come into worldwide effect [2].
Today's vote will also further isolate the
USA and Australia , who have both refused to
sign up to the treaty [3].
Friends of the Earth International's climate
campaigner Catherine Pearce said:
“At long last it looks like the Kyoto
climate treaty is finally going to come into
effect, and the world can begin the crucial
battle against global warming, the biggest
environmental threat the planet faces. But
international pressure must be put on the
United States and Australia to join the fight
too. If they want to be responsible members
of the world community they must wake up to
the threat of climate change, sign up to
Kyoto, and take urgent action to cut their
emissions.”
“The Kyoto Protocol is only the first step.
Much bigger cuts in carbon dioxide emissions
than Kyoto demands are needed. If we fail to
meet the challenge the devastating impacts
will be felt by millions of people for
generations to come.”
Friends of the Earth International is the
largest grassroots environmental network in
the world with more than one million members
in 70 countries.
for more information:
Catherine Pearce, Friends of the Earth
International
+ 44 (0) 20 7566 1723 or + 44 (0)7811 283
641 or email
notes to editors:
[1] The treaty now requires ratification by
the upper house and signature by President
Vladimir Putin. It will be forwarded to the
Upper House of Duma within 5 days. Once the
Upper House adapts the registration, it will
be sent to President Putin within 5 days. The
President is expected to sign within 14 days.
The Protocol enters into force 90 days after
Russian ratification is received by the
UN.
[2] Under the Kyoto Protocol industrialised
nations responsible for 55 per cent of
greenhouse gas emissions must ratify the
treaty before it can come into effect. If
Russia ratifies the treaty it will reach this
key threshold. More at the United Nations
Convention on Climate Change website:
http://www.unfccc.int/
[3] The USA is the world's biggest polluter
- despite having around only four per cent of
the planet's population it is responsible for
around 25 per cent of the world's carbon
dioxide emissions.
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