The Supreme Rada (parliament) of Ukraine ratified the Kyoto Protocol on February 4th.
The convention requires countries to commit to a quantitative limitation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to take measures to minimise the unfavourable social, ecological and economic consequences of climate change.
Under the agreement, the sides guarantee that their greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed the established limits.
Each country agrees to create a national system to control greenhouse gas emissions.
A country may withdraw from the protocol a year after the UN Secretary General receives written notification of its intent.
As of December 2003, 118 countries had ratified the Kyoto Protocol. The United States and Russia, the two largest producers of greenhouse gases, have not ratified the protocol yet.
