March 13, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Australia support Kevin Rudd’s decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, according to a poll by Auspoll Research Consulting for the Climate Institute. 64 per cent of respondents are in favour of the prime minister’s decision.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Australia support Kevin Rudd’s decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, according to a poll by Auspoll Research Consulting for the Climate Institute. 64 per cent of respondents are in favour of the prime minister’s decision.

Australia held a federal election in November 2007. Final results gave the Australian Labor Party (ALP) 85 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. Rudd was officially sworn in as prime minister on Dec. 3, bringing an end to the 11-year tenure of Liberal leader John Howard as head of Australia’s government.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Australia had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol until now. Rudd promised to sign the agreement within minutes of taking office.

On Mar. 11, the government’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol came into effect. Rudd announced that Australia has delivered a full report into how the country measures its carbon emissions to the UNFCCC—which was due 12 months from now—and expressed satisfaction with signing the accord, saying, "Ratifying Kyoto has put Australia back on the map. We have a full seat at the table. For the first time we are a full negotiating partner in all key international forums."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose Kevin Rudd’s act to ratify the Kyoto Protocol?

Support	64%
Oppose	7%
No opinion	29%

Source: Auspoll Research Consulting / Climate Institute
Methodology: Interviews with 1,215 Australian adults, conducted from Mar. 4 to Mar. 6, 2008. No margin of error was provided.