Kyoto Protocol: Russia vote is in

Kyoto will enter into force 90 days after Moscow8217;s ratification formalities are over.

A pilot project to curb greenhouse gases until 2012, Kyoto applies only to developed nations causing about 40 per cent of global emissions of heat-trapping gases.

8216;8216;We must now redouble efforts to deliver the even deeper cuts in emissions needed,8217;8217; said Klaus Toepfer, head of the UN Environment Programme after the Russian vote.

8216;8216;The big challenge will be to get involvement by the United States, big developing countries like China, India, Brazil and Indonesia,8217;8217; Paal Prestrud, head of the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, Oslo.

Chances of involving the US, the world8217;s top polluter, will improve if Democratic Sen. John Kerry beats President George W. Bush in the November 2 election.

Bush has said that Kyoto was too expensive and unfair for excluding developing nations. 8212;Reuters