Kyoto and you:they want to know

Australia did not ratify the Kyoto treaty until December last year.

Kevin Rudd had promised to do so, before last November’s elections.

John Howard had repeatedly refused to do so.

Now Australia’s politicians want to know how that ratification affects you.

That step certainly was significant.

The government now wants to cut emmissions of greenhouse gases by 60 per cent, over the next 42 years.

It is also planning to establish an emmissions trading scheme by 2010.

Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is now planning to examine the implications of the Kyoto agreement.

It is calling for public submissions on :-

• the position Australia should be taking on future negotiations on the treaty
• the opportunities and obligations arising from it and
• the present and future impacts of global warming.

If you would like to know more go to www.aph.gov.au/isct

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