Australia, previously criticized for not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, has now called for the climate pact to be abolished. The Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, believes that Australia will still meet its targets under the pact, despite warnings of rising Greenhouse Gas emissions. Turnbull suggests that Kyoto should be replaced with a new global agreement that includes major players like India, China, and the United States. He expressed doubt that the United States would ever ratify the protocol in its current form, stating that the protocol's first commitment period is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The Kyoto Protocol, which imposes emissions limits on wealthy countries but not on poorer ones like China, is set to expire in 2012. Australia, the top coal exporter globally, has chosen not to ratify the agreement or mandate reductions in carbon emissions, citing potential harm to the economy. Instead, Australian Prime Minister Turnbull announced a $15.2 million investment in China to reduce emissions by capturing methane from mining activities for electricity generation. China, a member of a competing Kyoto pact with the US, Australia, Japan, India, and South Korea, opposes emissions restrictions due to concerns about economic growth. Turnbull favors practical steps to combat climate change, criticizing Kyoto for overlooking the importance of halting deforestation in developing nations like Indonesia and Brazil. He stated that Kyoto's results have been disappointing. The Climate Institute reported that Australia, the biggest polluter per person, would exceed its limit of 108 percent of 1990-level greenhouse emissions. Turnbull disputed this with the latest 2005 data. Senator Christine Milne accused Turnbull of trying to hide the fact that energy and transport emissions had increased in the last two years due to the country's mining and commodity export boom. Prime Minister John Howard believes that climate change solutions should be internationally agreed upon rather than limited to industrialized European nations like 'Old Kyoto.' With the government facing re-election and polls showing 80 percent of voters are concerned about climate change, Howard has introduced various environmental measures to enhance his environmental credentials. Australia is anticipated to prioritize taking action against climate change in the upcoming May 8 Budget, with the government indicating plans to allocate A$10 billion towards improving water management in response to a prolonged drought.