http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=24650&sec=1

 

Extension of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012, is becoming more likely in spite of strong opposition from Japan, according to participants at the ministerial-level meeting of a UN climate conference in Durban.

 

European Union Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard voiced her intention to extend the commitment period of the protocol at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ministerial-level meeting, which began Tuesday.

The Kyoto Protocol is the only legally binding international document to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Aside from Japan, Canada and Russia are opposed to the extension. Japan said it would be under no obligation to reduce emissions if the protocol is extended.

However, agreement on the extension is likely to be reached during full-scale ministerial-level talks toward the final day of the COP 17 meetings Friday. Developing countries, including China, insist on extending the agreement.

Hedegaard said at Tuesday's meeting the EU was ready to observe the Kyoto Protocol on its own even though it knew some countries would not join it. Her remarks were welcomed with applause by ministers of developing countries.

Hedegaard told reporters, "The European Union would like to see things concluded as quickly as possible."

According to the EU delegation, if the protocol is extended, it will assume obligations to reduce greenhouse gases with detailed reduction targets to be considered by the EU at a later date.

In exchange for extending the protocol, the EU is insisting on agreement of a new legal framework to cut greenhouse gases with the participation of the United States and China by 2015 to take effect by 2020.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU has been obliged to reduce emissions by an average of 8 per cent during the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990 levels. Initially, the EU was cautious about extending the protocol as major carbon emitters, including China and the United States, are not obliged to reduce emissions.

However, considering it is nearly impossible for major emitters to assume obligation for cutting greenhouse gases from 2013, the EU is likely to gain agreement from other nations by pointing out the necessity to have some agreement in place.

Developing nations led by China, the largest carbon emitter, strongly support the extension. Both the United States and China have already shown their willingness to participate in discussions on a new framework to tackle climate change after 2020.