World Conservation Union welcomes Australian PM’s focus on climate change

3 December 2007

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) would like to congratulate Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for signing up to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Mr Rudd signed documents to bring the Kyoto Protocol on climate change into force immediately after being sworn in as Prime Minister on December 3.

World Conservation Union Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre said: “This sends a great signal to the rest of the world as the UN summit on climate change opens in Bali. We welcome the decisiveness, urgency and great commitment that Mr Rudd has shown and hope that this will serve as strong encouragement for other nations to follow suit.”

Under United Nations guidelines, the ratification will come into force 90 days after it is received by the UN. Australia will become a full member of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of March 2008.

For more information:

Sarah Halls, Media Relations Officer, IUCN, Tel: +41 22 999 0127;
Email: sarah.hallsiucn.org; Web: www.iucn.org

IUCN @ UNFCCC COP13/CMP13