The Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming will take effect in February after the Russian presidential office said Friday President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill to ratify the pact to complete the countrys ratification process, reports the World Bank press review Friday.
The completion of Russias ratification process brings the protocol into effect 90 days after Russias notification to the United Nations of its ratification – more than seven years after the pact was adopted in December 1997 at a UN climate change conference in Kyoto.
The ratification by Russia, which accounted for 17,4 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in base year 1990, is essential for the protocol to enter into force. Putin has signed the pact after years of hesitation, using it effectively in negotiations on Russias bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In May, Putin pledged to speed up approval for ratification in return for the European Unions support of Russias bid to join the WTO.
