Russia announces targets of 20-25% below 1990
Russia has unexpectedly increased the size of the reductions in emissions it is offering to make in the lead up to the climate change conference in Copenhagen next month.
The country has decided to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to 20-25% below 1990 levels by 2020, diplomats at a summit with the European Union in Stockholm were reported as saying. This compared with a previous commitment of 10-15%.
The commitment is below the 20-30% being offered by the 27-nation European Union. The offers also means Russia can still increase emissions over the next decade because the country's Soviet industrial base collapsed in 1990 and has never been built back up to the same level.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the CO2 decision. 'I have asked my staff to cooperate closely with their Russian colleagues in order to work out the details of Russia’s increased commitment on these issues.'
Wearing a badge with the text '2°C' on his lapel – the rise in temperature that scientists believe must not be exceeded to avoid environmental disaster - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia took the threat of climate change extremely seriously and would continue to work to further reduce emissions reductions.
Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Prime of Sweden and current chair of the European Union, added: 'We are in agreement on the two degree target and the need for emissions reductions from both developed and developing countries in order to reach it. Russia is one of the world's greatest emitting countries, so it has an important role to play if the world is to reach a climate agreement in Copenhagen.'
Earlier, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that Russia would be actively involved in international efforts to cope with climate change and other environmental problems.
Russia had abundant natural resources, which endowed it with the special responsibility to maintain the ecological balance of the planet, Putin said at a meeting of the Russian Geographical Society.'We have already taken the first steps as part of our transition to a so-called green economy and sustainable development,' he was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.
Related links
Russia announces strengthened 2020 climate goals, EarthTimes 18 November 2009
Russia raises ambitions ahead of Copenhagen, Swedish Presidency of the European Union 18 November 2009
Russia to join global efforts to tackle climate change, says Putin, News 18 November 2009
Russian steel complex converts waste into power
A new energy efficiency project in the industrial town of Cherepovets, about 400km north of Moscow, will reduce emissions and cut costs by re-using heat generated by its coke ovens and blast furnaces.
Impacts of global temperature rise
The impacts of climate change will be widespread across the globe. The interactive map highlights the impacts of a global temperature rise of 4 ºC (7 ºF).
Pledge your support for an ambitious global deal here! We need your backing to help us negotiate the unprecedented levels of agreement required at Copenhagen.