Kyoto Protocol (Ratification) Bill 2002
First Reading
Kyoto Protocol (Ratification) Bill 2002
First Reading
Download RTF 2002
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
THE SENATE
Presented and read a first time
Kyoto Protocol (Ratification) Bill 2002
No. , 2002
(Senator Brown)
A Bill for an Act to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Contents
A Bill for an Act to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Preamble
Acknowledging that change in the Earth's climate and its adverse effects are a common concern of humankind,
Concerned that human activities have been substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, that these increases enhance the natural greenhouse effect, and that this will result on average in an additional warming of the Earth's surface and atmosphere and will adversely affect natural ecosystems and humankind,
Determined to protect the climate system for present and future generations,
Recognising that these issues are a matter of international concern,
This Act gives effect to Australia's international obligations arising from the Framework Convention on Climate Change by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
This Act may be cited as the
Kyoto Protocol (Ratification) Act 2002.
This Act commences 30 days after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
Convention means the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (including any Annexes to the Convention) as amended by any amendment of the Convention that Australia accepts.
Kyoto Protocol means the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as amended by any amendment of the Protocol that Australia accepts.
The objects of this Act are to:
(a) ensure that Australia meets its obligations under the Convention; and
(b) start the process of reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere by 60% compared with 1990 levels by 2050, in order to:
(i) prevent further human interference with the climate system; and
(ii) allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change; and
(iii) safeguard human health and wellbeing; and
(iv) ensure that food production is not threatened; and
(v) enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.
The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia must ratify the Kyoto Protocol within 60 days of the commencement of this Act.