Antinuclear

Australia to sign up to new Kyoto Treaty (in a rather cautious way)

Australia ready to join ‘Kyoto 2’ climate agreement, Tom Arup  Nov 09, 2012. The Age AUSTRALIA will sign up to a second round of the Kyoto Protocol, joining the European Union and just a handful of other major
greenhouse gas emitters in recommitting to the world’s only climate treaty.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet will announce the decision on Friday in Melbourne, saying there has been sufficient progress in international talks to make the commitment, with some conditions.

It is understood he will also say the decision ensures business has access to cheap international offset credits (mainly created through clean energy projects in developing countries) to help meet domestic greenhouse targets.

The Kyoto Protocol was first negotiated by countries in 1997 and required wealthy nations to limit their emission of greenhouse gases. It is due to expire at the end of this year. Through UN climate change negotiations, countries have agreed to work on a replacement treaty. If successful, it would be agreed by 2015 and take effect in 2020. Unlike Kyoto, it would include emissions targets for wealthy nations and developing nations such as China and India.

At climate negotiations in South Africa last year, countries also agreed to a second round of the Kyoto Protocol until a new treaty takes effect. The European Union and a handful of small wealthy countries have committed to a second Kyoto, but some major wealthy nations including the US, Russia and Japan are refusing to sign
on…..
Australia’s support for a second Kyoto round comes with conditions, including progress on a post-2020 deal and a desire that the second round last until 2020, rather than 2017 as some developing nations proposed.
Canberra also wants rules letting it carry over some or all of about 80 million tonnes of surplus carbon permits under the protocol’s first round, which let it increase emissions by 8 per cent between 1990 and 2012. The carry-over permits could then count towards Australia’s 2020 emissions target.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/australia-ready-to-join-kyoto-2-climate-agreement-20121108-290×6.html#ixzz2Bkm3ObOr

November 8, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming