Russia to sign Kyoto Protocol?

Not only a feasibility study but also ample scientific proofs of global warming of the climate are required for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, a spokesman for the Kremlin administration said on Tuesday.

There is no single opinion in world science on the human factor in the global warming of the climate, he said. It has also been proved that increasing emissions of carbon dioxide, or the hothouse gases, are the reason for the climatic changes.

"These issues are no joke or formality. Answers to such questions are very important for Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol," the Kremlin spokesman said.

Such questions and the possible costs to be incurred by the Russian economy in case of ratification are not accidental. They were discussed way back at the 2001 meeting of the G8 leaders. This is why the Russian president has proposed to climatology specialists worldwide to gather in Moscow for the World Conference on Climate Change. "Putin invited them in the hope that international experts can provide an answer to these questions. So far, no answers have been received," said the source.

"The Russian government is studying the Kyoto Protocol and possible effects of its ratification. A decision will be taken after the study is over," emphasized the Kremlin spokesman.