Climate Actions

Responding to the NGO Statement “Stop greenhouse gases emissions!” adopted at the All-Russian Conference “Green Movement and Environmental Challenges”, the Director of the Department for State Policy and Regulations in the Sphere of Environmental Protection and Environmental Safety admitted that “The complex procedure for consideration and approval of such projects (JIPs) lowers down investment attractiveness of the Russian energy sector…”

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev detailed a 2020 goal to trim greenhouse gases by 10-15 percent. This is twice as low as the level urged by the Russian NGOs and confirmed by many experts, with account for huge Russia’s potential for energy efficiency and renewables.

Russian Environmental NGOs have made many statements that Russia can and should publish 2020 goals for greenhouse gas emissions. The Russian delegation at Bonn negotiations has made no statements concerning Russian 2020 commitments. The head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat Yvo de Boer said on June 8 that Japan and Russia should publish 2020 goals for greenhouse gas emissions.

The Russian Cabinet discussed the draft climate doctrine in April 2009 under the leadership of Prime •
Minister Vladimir Putin. As the costs and benefits of both climate change and domestic mitigation
measures have been raised, the doctrine could mark a change of the Russian government’s approach to
the issue. However, these positive developments in the country must be encouraged by international
recognition. The recognition that some mitigation measures can have a positive impact on the Russian economy is •significant as this goes against the traditional line of argumentation used during the Kyoto ratification debate.

NGOs and officials discuss Russian position at the Bann Climate Change talks.
As a result of pressure and efforts from Russian NGO-observers the Russian Delegation agrees to carry out a side event 01 of June 2009 during the Bonn
talks (28th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies and Sessions of the AWGs).
That gives a great opportunity to everyone to ask all the questions directly to the leading Russian negotiators (information from Andrey Ozharovskij, Ecodefense).

the Russian Cabinet of Ministers has discussed and approved the draft Climate Doctrine for Russia, which was presented by Jury Trutnev, Minister of Nature Use and Environment. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has argued that a concrete domestic plan for action on climate is needed, and that the policies should focus on improvements of resource and energy efficiencies.
Next step - the President Medvedev should approve this document.

This conference organised by the Russian Socio-Ecological Union was held in St.Petersburg on 10-12 November, 2009. Its programme included presentations about of NGO experience in the sphere of climate change and reduction of GHG emissions, about international negotiations on climate agreements and public participation in this process, about NGO position on scenarios of energy development and possibilities of “clean” energy for Russia.