Canada ratifies Kyoto Protocol

European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström today welcomed Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Under this Protocol, Canada will have to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 6% by 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels.

Ms Wallström stated : "I warmly welcome Canada's decision to ratify. I am aware that this decision has been taken after long and difficult discussions in Canada. But now Canada has joined the European Union in showing leadership in the fight against climate change. The Kyoto Protocol is the only international framework that allows the world community to join forces to fight climate change. I look forward to continue our cooperation with Canada on what is perhaps the biggest threat to global sustainable development."

In the meantime, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 97 countries. The EU and its Member States jointly ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 31 May 2002. The Protocol will enter into force once 55 countries representing 55% of the greenhouse gas emissions of industrialized countries have ratified. For the latter condition to be met, ratification by Russia is needed to allow the Protocol to enter into force, given that the United States has decided to withdraw from the Protocol. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg last summer, Russia announced that it would ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The EU calls on Russia and the other Parties that have not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol to do so as soon as possible.

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