Speaker of the Parliament's Mazhilis, Ural Mukhamedzhanov, opening the hearings reminded that Kazakhstan had joined the world movement on climate warming struggle because of the increase of greenhouse gases emissions from hydrocarbon fuel combustion in May 1995, when the UN framework convention on climate change had been ratified. As for the Kyoto protocol it had been signed March 12, 1999. But the process of the ratification of this document had been delayed. Meanwhile, the influence of the greenhouse effect had been becoming more notable. During the past hundred years the mean temperature on the country's territory had become higher on 1,3 degrees. That figure more than twice exceeded the global values. It was worth taking into account that anomalous air temperatures could adversely affect agriculture, environment and people's health.

For the Kyoto Protocol ratification the interagency commissions had been established, informed the deputy Prime-Minister, Karim Massimov, which had done serious work during the elapsed time. Particularly, the base year had been determined, on which the commitments of the republic on greenhouse gases emissions reduction would be based. In 1992 they amounted to 340,8 mln. tones. Further this indicator must be not exceeded. Now Kazakhstany companies emit 212 mln. tones into the atmosphere. Therefore our country has all chances to become the active player in the carbon credits market, which is supposed by the Kyoto protocol.

Rather critical was the speech of the chairman of the Committee on ecology and nature management issues of the Parliament's Mazhilis, Yerlan Nigmatullin. He put in doubt the methods of calculation of the above mentioned emissions indicators. After all during 14 years many energy companies repeatedly changed the property form. Now who is responsible for either these or that emissions? Generally, is the President's Strategy on Kazakhstan joining the most competitive 50 countries possible on the assumption of the Protocol commitments fulfillment? As everybody knows, the USA that are the leading energy consumer in the world, refused to ratify it. Now the USA together with Australia, South Corea, Japan, India and China introduce the alternative mechanisms of emissions reduction, based on the advanced technologies transmissions from the developed countries to the developing states.

Many questions are caused by the future Kazakhstan status among the Kyoto Protocol Parties. It is evident that the Republic will be included into the so called Annex 1, in where the industrially developed countries, which must not exceed the 1992 emissions level, are included. Not long ago Russia, Belarus and Ukraine joined them. Is our Republic ready to compete with them in the carbon quotas trading? You know, to 2012 - the completion of the protocol commitments fulfillment period, Kazakhstan emissions, according to the assessments, will increase up to 350-390 mln. tones a year.

Doubts of the Deputy were partially destroyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasymzhomart Tokaev. He said that entering Annex I will allow Kazakhstan to recon on implementation of environmental and energy projects from foreign investments. By the way the Russian Federation already started attraction of foreign investments under the Kyoto Protocol. External investments may amount to five billion USD.

Minister of Environment Protection Kamaltin Mukhamedzhanov was also optimistic. He believes that ratification of the Protocol and further activities on its implementation will help to improve and modernize the energy sector together with three times growth of the GDP and two times reduction of energy consumption. Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Kairat Kelimbetov spoke about the economy development scenarios and highlighted the fact that there is no threat for incompliance with the Protocol.

The key arguments were put by Director of Climate Change Coordination Centre Kanat Baigarin. He stated that there is no dilemma to ratify or not the Kyoto Protocol. He said that it is going to be a very important political decision. All we need to do is to consider all pros and contras, make the necessary calculations for future commitments and prepare the national legislation for the Kyoto mechanisms.

Deputies, scientists, ecologists and industry representatives also shared their opinions. Finally they came to an agreement that for Kazakhstan it is expedient to enter Annex I of the Kyoto Protocol and to undertake voluntary commitment to stabilize its emissions on the level of 1992 for the period from 2008 to 2012.

It was recommended to the Government to submit to the Parliament the Draft Laws on ratification of the Protocol and on climate and ozone layer protection. Besides it is necessary to change and amend a number of legislation acts related to implementation of the Kyoto commitments and to develop a program for energy saving, development of alternative energy sources and GHG reduction for 2008-2030. it is also necessary to establish an interdepartmental authorized body for implementing the Protocol mechanisms, carbon fund and national register for GHG reduction projects and emission quotas. Finally there is a need for preparation and adoption of rules for reviewing, adopting and monitoring the JI projects, anthropogenic emissions and sinks monitoring system, procedure for identification and transfer of emission rights and procedures for investing in corresponding projects.

Maxim Shimansky ("Kazakhstanskaya pravda")