Russian Government approved the Kyoto Protocol

The Russian government's decision to approve the Kyoto climate change treaty has been hailed by the European Union and environmental groups.

The Kyoto Protocol sets targets for greenhouse &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/comp/2002/10/15/38186.html ' target=_blank>gas emissions, which many scientists believe are causing the Earth to warm at an unnatural rate.

The cabinet has sent it to parliament to be ratified, where &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/350/14128_Putin.html ' target=_blank>President Putin's supporters hold a two-thirds majority.

The US, the biggest greenhouse gas producer, has not signed the treaty, BBC News reported.

"The fate of the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/economics/2003/01/20/42258.html ' target=_blank>Kyoto Protocol depends on Russia. If we ... rejected ratification, we would be the ones to blame," Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov told the Cabinet meeting.