Canada ratifies the Kyoto Protocol

2002/12/17 Carton Virto, Eider - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Klima
• Ingurumena

Canada's confirmation will give a new impetus to the protocol signed in 1997. The Protocol to Combat Climate Change must be ratified by a minimum of 55 States, including those that in 1990 emitted 55% of greenhouse gases.

The protocol has already been ratified by more than 80 states, but the US rejection has left it in danger. The possession of a quarter of the gases emitted by the United States makes it almost imperative that all other industrialized countries ratify the protocol to meet the minimum requirements. If all goes well, Russia and Poland are ratified and the protocol will come into force shortly. The goal is the same as five years ago: Reduce gas emissions by 6% in 2012 compared to 1990.

Citizenship in favor

According to surveys, most Canadians favored ratification of the protocol, but provinces and energy producing companies have strongly opposed it. Consequently, even though it has finally arrived, the claim has been greatly delayed.

However, according to the plan presented by the Canadian government, the objectives will not be adequately met. They plan to reduce annual emissions of 180 megatons, even though the Kyoto Protocol requires a reduction of 240. It is a debt of sixty megatons that want to settle exporting clean energy, such as the hydroelectric energy they sell to the United States.

The European Union has already expressed its opposition to this plan.