"For Russia's interests not to be impinged upon, compensation payments should be agreed upon because forests occupy a big area, and they consume carbon dioxide," Kashirova told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Besides, "truly a lot depends on Russia's decision," she added.
The Kyoto Protocol is the first international treaty on market principles of environmental management. 124 countries have ratified it. The agreement will come into force 90 days after Russia ratifies it: ratification lacks its "vote."
On Thursday the Russian cabinet approved the draft federal law On the Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The involved ministries have been instructed within three months to prepare a comprehensive plan of action to realize the Kyoto Protocol. Then, it will be sent for consideration by the State Duma.
"The cabinet may have sound grounds for prompt ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and decide on passing the draft to the State Duma. Maybe, by virtue of serious political consideration. Hopefully, the price is worthy," Kashirova said commenting on the governmental resolution.
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international agreement on greenhouse gas emissions in 2008-2012. Russia signed the protocol in 1997.
Its goal is within five years to launch and fix basically new economic mechanisms for cutting gas emissions - sale of quotas and joint projects.
