Climate under Control

Climate change is rightfully considered to be the global environmental problem of our time. At the end of the 20th century governments around the world applied various counter measures and binding commitments at both international and domestic levels in order to keep global warming concerns under their control.

In response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 and came into force on 16 February 2005. Ukraine ratified the Protocol on 4 February 2004.

Ukraine was engaged in carbon credits trading and started to design mechanisms to promote renewable energy. The major concern for many parties, including Ukraine, was recognition of surplus emission reduction units in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol starting from 1 January 2013. The position was recently adopted in favor of our country.

As the future of the Kyoto system is still being negotiated it is a very suitable time to look back at its implementation and address other issues of climate regulation.

Issues of concern that were singled out by our contributors encompass joint implementation projects under the Kyoto Protocol in Ukraine, alternative energy and the impact of climate change on subsoil regulation. The panel this month will raise mining and electricity issues.

Нарру reading,
Olga Usenko