Russia's Changing Stance On Global Climate Change Treaty

"The Kyoto Protocol, signed by many of the world's nations at a conference in Japan in 1997, sets targets for countries to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are seen as a key factor behind global warming. The European Union has led the push for Russia to ratify it after it was rejected by the United States...Countries accounting for 44 percent of emissions have so far signed up. The pact's future hinges on Russia because the United States -- the world's top polluter, at 36 percent -- has refused to ratify it."