Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has claimed that protecting Ireland's environment and facing up to the challenge of climate change globally will be an essential part of Fianna Fáil's plans over the next five years.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche is due to travel to Nairobi later today to attend a UN conference on climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking EU approval for its second National Allocation Plan for emissions trading.

Tony Blair said today that he was determined to pull the United States “back into dialogue” over the need to tackle climate change.

Environmental campaigners have attacked the Government's attitude towards the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which comes into effect today.

The Kyoto global warming pact took effect today seven years after it was negotiated, requiring dozens of industrial nations to reduce emissions of ”greenhouse” gases believed linked to climate change.

Russia’s prime minister signed a government order today officially approving the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and sending it to President Vladimir Putin, who is to submit it to parliament for ratification.

The Kyoto Protocol deal has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund.

Negotiators from 178 nations reached a deal to salvage a treaty on combating global warming following marathon negotiations that ended today, a UN spokesman announced.

Delegates trying to rescue the Kyoto Protocol on world climate change were continuing their talks today after marathon negotiations which went on through the night.

Negotiators at the World climate change talks are approaching an agreement on the last solitary issue on rules for carrying out the Kyoto Protocol.