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"The WCC is very pleased that the Russian Federation will now be ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, which will trigger the criteria to bring the treaty into effect as international law," said World Council of Churches (WCC) Climate Change programme coordinator Dr David Hallmann yesterday about the Russian Cabinet's decision to forward the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change to the Russian Parliament (Duma).
"The world’s nations have been struggling to address the issue of climate change in negotiating international treaties for over 15 years. The ecumenical community through the WCC has been actively participating in this process recognizing climate change as a justice issue that will affect the most vulnerable peoples and future generations," Hallmann continued.
The Kyoto Protocol is strongly supported by the WCC, which views ratification of the Protocol as limited but essential step towards diminishing the threat of climate change. The Council has been involved in the discussion on climate change for more than 15 years, being convinced that more than a scientific, ecological, economic and political concern, climate change also has important spiritual and ethical dimensions.
Dr David Hallman participated last October in a World Conference on Climate Change in Moscow in close co-operation with Russian partners who urged the Russian political authorities to accept the Protocol.
"The WCC will continue to pressure the United States of America, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and Australia to follow the lead of so many other countries now including Russia to take this important step as global citizens and ratify the Protocol," Hallmann declared.
The Kyoto Protocol prescribes the decline of greenhouse gases emission by at least 5% by 2008-2012 compared with the 1990 level. More than 35 industrialized countries have adopted the protocol so far.
More information about the WCC's work on climate change is available at: