Russian vote boost for Kyoto protocol

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 abstension to endorse the protocol, which aims to stem global warming by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

The quick vote came four days after the lower house ratified the treaty.

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

It needs ratification by 55 industrialised nations accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 1990.