Kyoto Protocol ratified in Russia

RUSSIA’S upper house of parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol and sent it to President Vladimir Putin for the final stamp of approval that would bring the global climate pact into force early next year.

The Federation Council voted 139-1 with one abstention to endorse the protocol, which aims to stem global warming by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Without Russia’s support, the pact - which has been rejected by the United States and Australia - cannot come into effect.