Russia's upper house of parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol and sent it to President Vladimir Putin for the final stamp of approval that will bring the global climate pact into force early next year. The Federation Council voted 139-1 with one abstention Wednesday to endorse the protocol, which attempts to stem global warming by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Without Russia's support, the pact -- which has been rejected by the United States and Australia -- cannot come into effect. It needs ratification by 55 industrialized nations accounting for at least 55 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions in 1990. The United States accounted for 36 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions in 1990, while Russia accounted for 17 percent.
-- Associated Press
From Russia, With Love
From Russia, With Love
