australia has for the first time expressed concerns over the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol that sets an international agenda to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 2002. It feels that political pressure in the us due to the presidential election in November would impede attempts to set a pace on measures to reduce global warming.

Australia has been accused by other smaller South Pacific nations of running its own campaign to scuttle efforts to curb global warming. Speaking after the palm 2000 summit between Japan and the member nations of the South Pacific Forum, Australia's foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer denied the allegations. While Australia claims it will adhere to the 2002 deadline, it indicated that it would not ratify the protocol unless the us does.