The Kyoto Protocol establishes a "double trigger" for entry into force. The first trigger is ratification by 55 governments - a requirement that was met earlier this year. The second trigger is that the ratifying governments must include developed countries representing at least 55% of that group's 1990 carbon dioxide emissions.
With the receipt of Canada's ratification, and that of Poland on 13 December, developed country ratifications now account for 43.7% of 1990 CO2 emissions (as determined in 1997 when the Protocol was adopted). Russia's 17.4% will be essential for pushing the tally over the required 55% limit.
Japan as well as the European Union and its member states have already ratified. Aside from Russia, ratification is also pending in about a half dozen, mostly smaller, industrialized countries and countries with economies in transition; all of these countries together, however, are not sufficient for reaching the 55% mark. Australia and the U.S. have stated that they will not join the Protocol.
The Protocol commits developed countries to reducing their collective emissions of six key greenhouse gases by the period 2008-2112. The individual targets are 8% for Switzerland, most Central and East European states, and the European Union (the E.U. has distributed different rates among its member states); and 6% for Canada, Hungary, Japan, and Poland.
Russia, New Zealand, and Ukraine are to stabilize their emissions, while Norway may increase emissions by up to 1%, and Iceland 10%. The U.S. had agreed to a -7 % target and Australia to +8%.
UNFCCC: http://unfccc.int
With the receipt of Canada's ratification, and that of Poland on 13 December, developed country ratifications now account for 43.7% of 1990 CO2 emissions (as determined in 1997 when the Protocol was adopted). Russia's 17.4% will be essential for pushing the tally over the required 55% limit.
Japan as well as the European Union and its member states have already ratified. Aside from Russia, ratification is also pending in about a half dozen, mostly smaller, industrialized countries and countries with economies in transition; all of these countries together, however, are not sufficient for reaching the 55% mark. Australia and the U.S. have stated that they will not join the Protocol.
The Protocol commits developed countries to reducing their collective emissions of six key greenhouse gases by the period 2008-2112. The individual targets are 8% for Switzerland, most Central and East European states, and the European Union (the E.U. has distributed different rates among its member states); and 6% for Canada, Hungary, Japan, and Poland.
Russia, New Zealand, and Ukraine are to stabilize their emissions, while Norway may increase emissions by up to 1%, and Iceland 10%. The U.S. had agreed to a -7 % target and Australia to +8%.
UNFCCC: http://unfccc.int