Senior Putin Advisor Puts Kyoto Protocol In Serious Trouble

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Russia Puts Global Climate Pact In Doubt
Vladimir Isachenkov
Associated Press

MOSCOW - "A senior advisor to President Vladimir Putin outlined strong reservations Tuesday about ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, saying the pact to limit greenhouse gas emissions is not sufficiently grounded in science and would harm Russia's economic growth.

Although Putin's economic advisor, Andrei Illarionov, stopped short of ruling out Russia's ratification of the protocol, which is necessary for it to take effect, his strong criticism of the agreement appeared to leave little hope for approval of the document.

Illarionov, an influential advisor, spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the U.N. World Climate Change Conference. He made the remarks after Putin said Monday that his Cabinet hadn't yet made up its mind whether Russia would ratify the protocol.

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Illarionov said that the Kyoto Protocol would hamper Putin's goal of doubling Russia's gross domestic product in 10 years and the subsequent growth by requiring Russia to launch a costly overhaul of its industries in order to cut emissions. He said that doubling the GDP will bring Russia's emissions to 104 percent of their 1990 level, conflicting with the protocol. 'But Russia isn't going to stop at this level, so the carbon dioxide level will be much higher,' Illarionov said."

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http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/6898232.htm