Kyoto

A mechanism under the United Nations-backed Kyoto Protocol that allows industrialized countries to generate credits through investment in emission reduction projects in developing countries reached a milestone today, approving its 1000th clean energy project.

An essential tool in efforts to reduce global warming gas emissions is on track for completion with testing in the coming months of a mechanism allowing countries that cut emissions below their targets to sell surplus allowances to others that have deficits, the United Nations body overseeing the project announced today.

Intensifying its efforts to curb the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, the United Nations today launched a new mechanism to generate significant reductions in such emissions in central and eastern European transition economies through a system of “carbon credits” acquired by developed countries.

Russia today formally delivered its ratification of the Kyoto treaty against global warming to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, enabling the pact that seeks to reduce so-called greenhouse gases to go into effect in what the United Nations chief called “a great day for the whole world.”

Russia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, enabling the treaty to go into effect, is a significant first step in slowing down growth in harmful greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, according to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The head of the United Nations environment agency today welcomed the decision by the Russian Duma to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, paving the way for the climate change treaty to go into effect.

United Nations officials today welcomed the Russian Government's endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol regulating emissions linked to climate change - a move that brings the pact one step closer to enforcement.

A new report published today warning that 1 million species are threatened with extinction unless greenhouse gases are drastically reduced prompted the head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to reiterate the importance of bringing into force the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement meant to cut emissions.

Canada’s decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the five year-old agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, showed “courage and leadership” and recognized the overwhelming scientific and moral arguments for fighting climate change, the head of the United Nations environment agency said today.

The Government of Japan today formally ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, giving greater momentum to international efforts to reduce global warming.