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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
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.