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Belarus seeking faster access to Joint Implementation projects in framework of Kyoto Protocol

Belarus expects technical procedures for Joint Implementation projects in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol to be carried out at a faster pace, Iryna Rudzko, a departmental chief at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, told BelaPAN.

She said that an agreement to this effect had been reached at climate change talks held in Bonn earlier this month.

Belarus is expected to receive permission to get down to the technical procedures needed for joint implementation projects at a conference in Mexico in November, the official said.

Joint Implementation is a Kyoto protocol mechanism that allows countries with binding greenhouse gas emissions targets to meet their obligations.

Belarus has been unable to engage in Joint Implementation projects as a Kyoto Protocol amendment that would give Belarus access to trading in greenhouse gas emission quotas has not been ratified so far.

At least 130 countries need to ratify the amendment but only 23 have done so to date.

Belarus' delegation to the Bonn talks joined forces with representatives of Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine in defending the need to "take into account the special status of economies in transition," Ms. Rudzko said.

"In general, the talks were tough: little time is left before the summit in Mexico and there are many items on the agenda, while confrontation between countries has been growing," she said, noting that some developed countries were calling for reviewing the special status of economies in transition.