Government last night announced plans to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was drawn up to encourage countries across the world to agree to adopt strategies limiting the production of the so-called greenhouse gases which erode the ozone layer.

It has run into controversy as many major industrialised nations, including the US and Canada, have refused to sign the agreement.

In a statement yesterday, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said the plans to sign showed that Bermuda would join the international fight against climate change and demonstrate to the world its commitment to the reduction of the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

She added: "Climate change is a global phenomenon that some still do not recognise. Nations like Bermuda must be keenly aware of its potential impact because we are a small isolated Island.

Ms Butterfield outlined some of the Government initiatives to reduce the negative impact on the environment. "Everyone in Bermuda contributes to the development of renewable energy through Tynes Bay which is a 'Waste to Energy' facility. Energy derived from waste is considered "green" and "renewable" in that it is not generated from fossil fuels.

"This has a benefit for Bermuda in that it reduces the amount of fossil fuel required for electricity generation here and has a positive effect world-wide in conserving fossil fuel. Currently Tynes Bay takes the trash that we produce and converts it into energy sufficient to power 2,500 homes.

She added that there are a number of other smaller scale efforts at the development of renewable energy that are supported by Government:

¦ The Department of Planning has for several years approved solar panels and more recently has approved a domestic wind turbine which will also generate renewable energy.

¦ The Government has a policy of zero duty for electric cars, which have zero emissions.

¦ The Environmental Authority recently approved the Bermuda Biodiesel Project, which is a private sector business endeavour where used cooking grease is collected and turned into biofuel for diesel engines.

¦ Waste oil is also collected in Bermuda and shipped to recycling companies in the US.