The Turkish parliament Thursday overwhelmingly approved the Kyoto Protocol on fighting global warming.
Out of the 252 deputies present in the 550-seat legislature, 243 voted for the bill, three voted against and six abstained.
Turkey had long hesitated whether to join the protocol, saying that it still needs to complete its industrialization and is facing a giant bill to ensure proper environmental protection.
The government last year decided to go ahead, arguing that signing the protocol would allow Turkey to have a say in discussions regarding implementation and voicing possible reservations.
Ankara is already under pressure from the European Union, which it is seeking to join, to drastically improve environmental standards.
Officials have said Turkey needs to invest up to EUR35 billion in environmental projects in order to catch up with E.U. norms.
The Kyoto protocol requires signatory countries to reduce or stabilize their emissions of six "greenhouse" gases blamed for heating up the planet, the principal of which is carbon dioxide.
The protocol expires in 2012. On average it requires nations to reduce their emissions 5.2% below their 1990 level between 2008 and 2012. This would represent a 29% cut in overall emissions compared with levels expected by 2010.