Canada withdraws from Kyoto

Canada's withdrawal on Monday from the Kyoto protocol was no real surprise, coming a week after Environment Minister Peter Kent signalled the government's intention to do so.
But in officially withdrawing, and citing the "billions of dollars" in fines it would thereby avoid, the government has come under international criticism.
China, the world's largest carbon emitter, described Ottawa's decision as being "regrettable", with China's foreign ministery spokesman Liu Weimin saying it went "against the efforts of the international community".
Japan labelled Canada's withdrawal as "disappointing," noting that it was "indispensable that each country makes efforts" on climate change.
Read the AFP story here.
The decision to quit, says Al Jazeera News, will not help the international reputation of Canada, a major energy producer which critics say is becoming a climate renegade.

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