Kyoto countries plan next steps

Last week, Canada and other countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol re-affirmed plans to set new, tougher caps on greenhouse gas emissions after 2012.

A conference of these 160 countries in Bonn, Germany set no timetable for agreeing on the targets, but talks are planned for the next two years.

It was the first meeting of a group set up by Kyoto countries last December in Montreal to work out a roadmap for emissions cuts beyond 2012.

Kyoto obliges 35 industrialized nations to cut emissions by at least 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.

Also last week, Rona Ambrose, the federal environment minister, announced a new plan to make all gas at least five per cent renewable fuel by 2010.

Environmental groups said the strategy to promote ethanol is an attempt to distract Canadians from their lack of commitment to fight global warming.