Singapore welcomes move to extend Kyoto Protocol

Singapore welcomes a decision to extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol, the UN plan that obliges developed nations to cut carbon emissions. Its first commitment period expires by the end of the year. "Singapore welcomes the decision to adopt an 8-year Second Commitment Period (2CP) following the end of the first Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) at the end of 2012," says a statement by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources ( MEWR) on Sunday. "The 2CP includes a commitment to review future increases in emissions reduction targets, for developed countries participating in the 2CP. This continues the good foundation of a multilateral rules-based system laid down by the KP," adds the statement. The agreement on the Kyoto Protocol would apply from 2013 till 2020 "Singapore has consistently maintained that this is a global issue that requires concerted multilateral action by all countries, according to their respective national circumstances," the statement says. The 2CP was reached at the end of the United Nations climate change conference which was held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 8 in Doha, Qatar.