Russian upper house ratifies Kyoto Protocol

Russia's upper house of parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol yesterday, leaving President Vladimir Putin's signature as the final step to kickstart global efforts to control climate change.

The approval follows last week's ratification by the State Duma lower house. The pact aims to limit emissions of greenhouse gases and depends on Russian approval to come into force.

The Federation Council, dominated by pro-Kremlin politicians, voted 139 in favour of the pact, with one against and one abstention, a spokeswoman said. Presidential approval is the last step in the ratification process.

Under Kyoto's terms, developed countries responsible for 55 per cent of the industrialised world's emissions must ratify for it to come into force.

The United States, by far the world's top polluting and richest country, pulled out in 2000, saying the pact would be too expensive for its economy and that it unfairly benefited the developing world.

But the European Union pushed ahead and put heavy pressure on Moscow to approve it, with Mr Putin finally pledging backing after EU leaders gave Russia favourable terms to enter the World Trade Organisation.