August 18th, 2009: At the negotiations now taking place in Bonn Russia repeated the statement concerning the planned emissions reduction by 10-15% until 2020 compared to the 1990 level. Current emissions are 33 to 34% lower than those of 1990, thus the so-called “reduction” of 10 to 15% from the same level actually means the overall increase of emissions.
Another number voiced out was “30 billion tons of СО2 equivalent” total emission reduction during 30 years starting from 1990. Translated, that means that in the period from 2013 to 2020 the average emissions level will be 21% lower than that of 1990. But the number of 30 billion tons may only be achieved in case the reduction of at least 15% takes place.
Medvedev has published an article about national strategic tasks (
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s statement on Friday that he would reject any new climate change pact that imposed restrictions on Russia but not bind other big polluters, like the United States or China. The Russian Socio-Ecological Union sees Russia’s commitments on cutting GHG emissions as a stimulus to transfer the national economy to energy efficient technologies, to be taken independently of commitments by other countries.
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.
The Russian Cabinet discussed the draft climate doctrine in April 2009 under the leadership of Prime •