Kyoto goes to Parliament

Gov't submits law project for Kyoto to Parliament
Friday, June 6, 2008
ANKARA – TDN Parliament Bureau

The government submitted a law project to Parliament yesterday that accepts Turkey's decision to join the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement that aims to control greenhouse emissions and alleviate global warming.

Turkey became a party to the 1997 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2004, after being released from its status as an Annex II nation, which obliged it to help developing nations cover the costs of reducing greenhouse emissions.

Under the new agreement Turkey will be exempt from such obligations during Kyoto's first commitment period, which will begin immediately and end in 2012.

“Proving Turkey's resolve to struggle against climate change, increasing Turkey's reputation among countries party to the (United Nations Framework Convention) and the (Kyoto Protocol), and securing a better position for Turkey in shaping of post-2012 regulations” are reasons listed in the law for Turkey joining the international agreement.

The government's proposal will be reviewed by parliamentary commissions before it is presented to the general assembly, where the expectation is it will be ratified.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) wants to conclude the ratification process in July, before Parliament breaks for vacation, allowing Turkey to participate in the 14th Conference of Parties this December in Poland, where parties to the agreement will collaborate on measures to combat climate change for the second commitment period, to begin in 2012.

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