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PRESS RELEASE
Belarus Became a Full Member of Kyoto Protocol
Washington D.C., November 28, 2005
The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change came into force in Belarus on November 24, 2005.
The decision of Belarus to accede to the Kyoto Protocol
proves the country' commitment to the cause of environmental protection.
Belarus has always stood for consolidating efforts both in
Europe and in the world as a whole in order to keep up the ecological
balance, which includes reducing the atmospheric emission of
ozone-destroying substances.
Under the agreement, signatories pledge to reduce their
annual volume of greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent of their 1990 basic
figure, or to bring their emissions down to 110 - 115 mln tons.
Today Belarus emits 60-65 mln tons. Therefore Belarus can
sell and negotiate approximately 50-55 mln tons for the states that exceed
the Kyoto protocol level or use the resource for enlivening the Belarusian
industry by inviting foreign companies. One equivalent ton may cost $5-25.
Since the Kyoto Protocol came into force, Belarus is able to
earn $400-1,000 mln through the so-called clean air trade - i.e. selling the
greenhouse gas emission rights.
At the same time, according to experts, acceding to the Kyoto
Protocol will influence the power-engineering sector, not industries, since
the industrial sector accounts for less that 2 mln tons of greenhouse gases
emitted, while the power engineering sector emits around 55 mln tons,
agribusiness - around 13 mln tons.
The decision of Belarus to accede to the Kyoto Protocol will
also positively affect on investments. Since the Kyoto Protocol entered into
force, Belarus is eligible to get the financing from the Experimental
Carbonic Fund of the World Bank in order to carry out projects promoting a
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, Belarus has obtained the right to carry out
infrastructure projects with other countries to modernize its energy and
public facilities. 14 proposals have been already prepared by the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of Belarus three of those
are to be implemented in 2005.
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