Active participation of the RF delegation in the discussion on the future of the second stage of the Kyoto Protocol at the UN session of climate negotiations, which has just ended in Bangkok, gave a hope that the country is intending to join the climatic agreement. However, Presidential Advisor on climate issues Alexander Bedritsky resolutely refuted any gossips on Russia’s possible participation in KP-2 and stated that “as long as the decision was made by the President, this issue should be resolved at the same presidential level…”
EU economic downturn has created an oversupply on the carbon market. Therefore, the European Commission restricts "free" reductions to maintain the market. According to experts, the demand for Russian potential emission reductions can be preserved only if Russia takes meaningful goals to reduce the impact on the climate and makes the carbon market regulations transparent. This is one of the main expectation form Russia at the COP-18 in Doha, Quatar.
Global leaders explain their inability to respond to the problem of global warming by economic interests. These excuses have no grounds: scientists concluded that the slowdown of the global economy due to climate change and dependence on fossil fuels has already caused losses of 1.6% of the global GDP, or $ 1.2 trillion a year. The deficit of real action can double this number by 2030 At the start of International UN Climate Conference in Doha (Qatar), politicians are expected to take real action.
A few days ago the Russian Foreign Ministry has once again confirmed that, from next year, Russia is not going to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol, but Russia stands for the transfer of quotas. The global amount of unused quotas for CO2 emissions could reach 17 billion tons by 2020. Experts believe that this enormous amount threatens the viability of any future climate agreement.
By data of recent researches, introduction of a tax on carbon dioxide emissions will give a USD 1.5 trl. increase to American budget and will become an instrument for the “therapy” of financial deficit. If Russia does not adopt a system of control on greenhouse gas emissions, it will make itself vulnerable against international carbon taxes after it declined to participate in the second stage of the Kyoto Protocol, - experts believe.
Adviser to RF President on the issues of climate changes Alexander Bedritsky came out with the initiative to limit internal emissions of greenhouse gases at the national level.