an unrealistic and ever-tightening regulatory straitjacket
"In its current form, the Kyoto protocol places significant limitations on the economic growth of Russia," said Andrei Illarionov, chief adviser on economic issues to Vladimir Putin.
"In its present form, this protocol cannot be ratified," he said at a major climate change conference in Milan, Italy.
If Russia's stand is final, the protocol would almost certainly be dead. The 1997 pact, which aims to slow climate change due to global warming, can come into force only if ratified by 55 developed countries which accounted for at least 55 per cent of global emissions in 1990.
Current ratifications cover 44 per cent of emissions, meaning Russia's 17 per cent would bring the protocol into force.
�Bhattacharya/New ScientistDec.02.03
"In its current form, the Kyoto protocol places significant limitations on the economic growth of Russia," said Andrei Illarionov, chief adviser on economic issues to Vladimir Putin.
"In its present form, this protocol cannot be ratified," he said at a major climate change conference in Milan, Italy.
If Russia's stand is final, the protocol would almost certainly be dead. The 1997 pact, which aims to slow climate change due to global warming, can come into force only if ratified by 55 developed countries which accounted for at least 55 per cent of global emissions in 1990.
Current ratifications cover 44 per cent of emissions, meaning Russia's 17 per cent would bring the protocol into force.
�Bhattacharya/New ScientistDec.02.03
