Russia will enact accord to limit greenhouse gases

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Russia announced Tuesday it will ratify an accord on reducing smokestack emissions and other causes of global warming. Moscow's approval would clear the way for the agreement to become law in much of the world -- but not the United States.

Russia's promise on the agreement, which the United States has rejected, came as leaders at the World Summit wrapped up a long-term blueprint for tackling poverty and pollution.

The United States continued to be criticized for its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol, which requires developed nations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases to 1990 levels by 2012. Many countries view the accord as crucial to reversing a global warming trend blamed for cataclysmic storms, floods and droughts worldwide.

"All countries around the world need to address the questions of environmental protection ... under the same rules," said Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

U.S. Environmental Protection Administrator Christine Whitman said the United States supported other countries' ratification of the deal. But she said the agreement was not appropriate for the United States, which is taking other action to limit climate change.

Russia's ratification of Kyoto would meet the last requirement for the accord to come into effect: that the countries on board account for at least 55 percent of carbon dioxide emissions based on 1990 output.

Once that happens, the nations that have accepted it -- 87 so far -- would be required by law to start reducing the carbon dioxide and other gases pumped out by factories, cars and other sources thought to trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet.

The United States, which rejected the accord last year, would not face the requirements, which the Bush administration says would set back the U.S. economy.

Among the main industrialized nations, Australia and Canada are also holdouts, though Canada promised Monday to put the accord before its Parliament this year.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov did not say exactly when Moscow would ratify, frustrating Kyoto's U.N. and European backers, who had hoped for a commitment to get it done this year.

"Russia has signed the Kyoto Protocol and now we are preparing for its ratification," Kasyanov said. "That ratification will occur in the very near future."

The promise comes after much wavering by Moscow.

Russia, whose industry -- and pollution -- has declined dramatically since 1990, had hoped to benefit greatly from Kyoto mechanisms that allow those who come in under their emissions quota to sell the right to pollute to other nations.

But the United States, as the biggest polluter, was expected to be the biggest buyer.

Environmentalists said they suspected Russia was dragging its feet hoping to gain in other areas, such as increased financial aid or compensation for maintaining its vast forests as a "carbon sink."

Ecologists often describe forests and rain forests as the "lungs of the planet," absorbing carbon dioxide and transmitting oxygen to the atmosphere.

Ecuador's president, Gustavo Noboa, raised a call for such compensation during a forum on financing for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"If the developing world needs our oxygen, we must be economically compensated," he said, referring to competing demands between developing and preserving tropical rain forests.

"I agree that we should fight against terrorism," he said. "But I would like to give some of the same impetus and financial resources to the fight against poverty."

His call for action was echoed by most of the dozens of leaders who spoke Tuesday.

"Put your money where your mouth is," said Dutch Prime Minister Jan Balkenende. "We've done the talking, so let's start walking!"

Late Monday, negotiators resolved the last main sticking points in a 70-odd page plan to turn commitments made 10 years ago at the Rio Earth Summit into reality. Most of the items were geared to helping the world's poorest people without polluting. The deal is next to be given final approval by the summit.

The plan's agreed text includes a commitment to "urgently" increase the use of renewable energy sources, but says cleaner use of fossil fuels is also acceptable.

Climate treaty facts

The 1997 Kyoto Protocol calls on industrialized nations to cut the carbon dioxide emissions that are believed to cause global warming. A look at details of the accord, and what must happen for it to take effect:

Kyoto requires industrialized nations to reduce emissions to 1990 levels. Developing nations are exempted.

To take effect, the countries ratifying must account for at least 55 percent of carbon dioxide emissions based on 1990 output.

The United States says it will not ratify. The Bush administration says the treaty would cost the U.S. economy up to $400-billion and 4.9-million jobs.

The U.N. Environmental Program says 87 nations have ratified, but their combined emissions make up 37 percent of global emissions. Russia said Tuesday it will ratify the accord, and its emissions total would push that over the threshold.

Other industrialized nations that have not ratified include Canada and Australia, though Canada has promised to put it before Parliament.

U.S. carbon emissions from energy sources over the next 10 years are estimated to grow by 9.5 to 13 percent. The White House has offered voluntary measures to reduce carbon emissions.

Japan ratified in June. The 15 members of the European Union ratified in May.

The agreement allows for emissions trading: buying and selling the right to pollute. Countries also may offset emissions reductions by counting the amount of carbon that their forests and landscapes absorb from the atmosphere.

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