Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, signed the ratification documents of the Kyoto treaty immediately after he took the oath on Monday, thus ending the country's opposition to the global climate agreement.

"This is the first official act of the new Australian government, demonstrating my government's commitment to tackling climate change," labour party leader Rudd said to reporters, as cited by BBC.

Climate experts said the ratification of the protocol is a major step for Australia that sends a clear message to the United States, which is the only developed country still refusing to sign the protocol.

The former conservative government in Australia refused to ratify Kyoto, saying it would be bad for the economy that is heavily dependent on coal energy.

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