Posted on 10-3-2002

U.K. To Ratify Kyoto Protocol
From UN Wire (Photo shows Margaret Beckett)

The United Kingdom will ratify the Kyoto Protocol in a matter of weeks, it
announced yesterday, following Monday's European Union endorsement of the
agreement. "The protocol will be before Parliament for the next 21 sitting
days," Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said. "At the end of this
period ... the foreign secretary will sign the U.K.'s instrument of
ratification" (Mike Peacock, Reuters, Planet Ark, March 8).

Beckett also reiterated criticism of the United States for refusing to
ratify the treaty, under which countries agree to reduce emissions of the
greenhouse gases scientists hold responsible for global warming. "We
continue to believe that (the protocol) presents the only workable option
for the international community to take serious action and we urge other
countries to ratify as soon as possible including the U.S. who we would
like back on board in the future," Beckett said (Reuters, Planet Ark, March
8).