Jordan Times
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Environment Ministry to
follow up on Kyoto protocol projects
By Sarah Ryan
AMMAN — The Ministry of Environment will work to achieve the maximum benefit
from financing and environmental development opportunities made available after
the Kyoto protocol, which Jordan is a party to, became legally binding at 0500
GMT on Feb. 16.
The protocol seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which are at least partly
responsible for global warming — the rise in global temperatures, which could
have a disastrous effect on the earth.
Minister of Environment Yousef Shureiqi said developing nations have the right
of access to safe and environment-friendly technology and compensation for
social and cultural effects experienced due to climate instabilities that result
from global warming.
The protocol demands a 5.2 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from
industrialised nations between 2008 and 2012.
To date, 141 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions,
have ratified the treaty.
However, the US, the world's largest polluter, decided not to sign the treaty in
2001, arguing that it would be too expensive and the treaty was fatally flawed
because large developing countries like India, China and Brazil are not required
to meet targets at this point.
Russia's ratification of the treaty in November 2004 was crucial because the
protocol had to be ratified by nations producing at least 55 per cent of the
greenhouse gas emissions before it could take effect.
The agreement imposes maximum limits on carbon dioxide gas, which arises from
the use of fossil fuels in power generation stations, factories and cars.
Other targeted gases in the protocol include methane, hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
Shureiqi said the Environment Ministry would act as a national committee to
follow up on projects from the clean development mechanism programme of the
protocol, which can contribute to improving the national socio-economic reality.
The Kyoto protocol requires signatories, including 39 industrialised countries,
to produce their own emission reduction targets.
To aid in this process, the protocol involves a complex system allowing some
countries to buy emission credits from others.
The protocol was agreed upon in 1997 based on principles developed in a
framework convention signed in 1992.
Kyoto, the Japanese city where the agreement was negotiated, hosted the
principal ceremony to celebrate the treaty's coming into force.