Kyoto Protocol comes into effect

[Mark]

Environmentalists will be hoping the world becomes a little greener from Wednesday as the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect.

Australia is likely to be singled out as an environment vandal as it - along with the United States - remains one of the few major industrialised countries refusing to ratify the international agreement on climate change.

The agreement aims to slow global warming by limiting greenhouse gas emissions and introducing an international carbon trading scheme.

The US produces about a quarter of all the world's greenhouse emissions and Australia generates the most per capita in the industrialised world.

More than 30 developed nations worldwide will come together on Wednesday to wind back their emissions to below 1990 levels by 2012.

Labor environment spokesman Anthony Albanese said it was an important day in history.

"After 15 years of negotiation, the Kyoto Protocol will finally come into force," he said.

Mr Albanese condemned the government for not signing up to the agreement.

"Our isolation from international environmental action also isolates us from the economic opportunities arising from emissions trading and renewable energy," he said.

"Australia is giving the world a jump start in entry to a dynamic driving force of 21st century economies.

"The investment will simply go elsewhere."

SOURCE