Russian President Vladimir Putin has cut back on the duties of a top economic adviser who has been outspoken critic of Kremlin policies.

Russia’s lower house of parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol on combating global warming today, putting the sweeping environmental pact firmly on the road to realisation.

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.

RUSSIA'S Cabinet approved the Kyoto Protocol on global warming yesterday, clearing the way for the worldwide adoption of the document once the Russian parliament ratifies it as widely expected.

The Russian Cabinet approved the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on combating global warming today, clearing the way for parliament to vote on the pact, which needs to be ratified by Russia to take effect.