Australia, previously criticized for not fully participating in the Kyoto Protocol, has now called for the agreement to be abandoned. Australia's Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, stated that although Australia would meet its targets under the protocol, Greenhouse Gas emissions were expected to increase. Turnbull suggested that Kyoto should be replaced with a new global agreement that includes major players like India, China, and the United States. Turnbull expressed doubt that the United States would ever fully ratify the protocol in its current form, and stated that the protocol's first commitment period is becoming outdated in terms of addressing climate change. The Kyoto Protocol, an agreement that establishes emissions limits for wealthier countries but not for poorer ones like China, is set to expire in 2012. Australia, a major coal exporter, has chosen not to ratify the treaty or impose mandatory cuts on carbon emissions, citing potential negative impacts on the economy. Instead, Prime Minister Turnbull announced a plan to invest $15.2 million in China to reduce emissions by capturing methane from underground mines for electricity generation. China, a member of a separate Kyoto pact with the US, Australia, Japan, India, and South Korea, has rejected emissions limits, expressing concerns about hindering economic growth. Turnbull believes in implementing practical solutions to combat climate change, criticizing Kyoto for neglecting the importance of addressing deforestation in countries like Indonesia and Brazil. "He stated that it is not surprising that Kyoto's outcomes have been lackluster. The Climate Institute recently announced that Australia, which is the top polluter per person in the world, is expected to exceed its limit of 108 percent of 1990 greenhouse gas emissions. Turnbull disputed this claim with the most recent 2005 data on Wednesday. Senator Christine Milne of the Australian Greens accused Turnbull of trying to hide the fact that energy and transportation emissions have increased in the past two years due to the country's mining and export boom. Prime Minister John Howard, a conservative, argues that solutions to climate change should be globally agreed upon rather than being restricted to industrialized nations like those under the 'Old Kyoto' agreement. However, with the government facing re-election later in the year and polls showing that 80 percent of voters see climate change as a major issue, Howard has introduced a variety of environmental measures to enhance his environmental reputation." Australia is anticipated to prioritize taking actions to address climate change in the upcoming May 8 Budget. The government has indicated that they will allocate A$10 billion towards reforming water usage in response to a ten-year period of severe drought.