Kyoto protocol should embrace polluting jet-setters: France

Sat Dec 3, 2:23 PM ET

PARIS (AFP) - The life span of the United Nations strategy for cutting greenhouse gases should be extended beyond 2012 and broadened to cover the polluting growth sector of air transport, French Environment Minister Nelly Ollin said.

Speaking at a sustainable development forum in Paris before flying to a landmark UN climate conference in Montreal, Ollin said more needed to be done.

The 1997 Kyoto protocol finally became operational on Wednesday when 34 signatory countries at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to a regulatory structure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

But the United States, fearing restrictions could devastate its energy-hungry economy, has refused to ratify the treaty that does not require developing countries to cut emissions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051203/sc_afp/climateunfrance_051203192329

that is by treaty, which does not mean it
can't be changed.