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IMPERFECT AS IT IS, KYOTO PROTOCOL IS BENEFICIARY FOR RUSSIA

MOSCOW, January 31 (RIA Novosti) - Alexander Bedritsky, the Director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service, believes Russia's climate-related specifics must be taken into account while implementing the Kyoto protocol after 2012.

"Obligations under the protocol should be taken on with regard to the countries' specific features, for example, Russia's climate-related specifics," Mr. Bedritsky said at a press conference on Monday when he spoke about relations between the signatory countries after 2012.

Mr. Bedritsky noted that a great deal of electric power is spent in Russia on heating. "This is a question of survival, rather than comfort," he said.

Mr. Bedritsky believes the protocol that comes into force on February 16, 2005 is imperfect as it is not globally effective and does not provide obligations for developing countries.

"This is a kind of training the ability to maintain global cooperation and join efforts in tackling global problems," said Mr. Bedritsky.

However, Mr. Bedritsky said there were no other ways, except reducing green house gases emissions, to weaken an anthropogenic effect on the climate.

"This protocol is beneficiary for Russia as it encourages the introduction of new technology to save resources and reduce harmful emissions," said Mr. Bedritsky.