The 26th session
of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(COP26) is underway in Glasgow, Scotland. Russian delegation is led by Deputy
Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk.
On November 9, Alexey Overchuk made a national statement on behalf of the
Russian Federation at the High-Level Segment of the conference.
Excerpts from the transcript:
A.Overchuk: Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Addressing global warming and prevention of
climate change depends on the ability of all nations to set aside differences
and join together in resolving these challenges.
Russia
is mostly a northern country. Yet we are facing negative impacts of global
warming including increase of desert areas, soil erosion, forest fires, floods
and melting of permafrost. We take these matters seriously and responsibly.
As you might be well aware the President of the
Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will reach carbon neutrality
by 2060. This promise is based on a comprehensive approach covering not only
the problems of controlling and decreasing emission but also managing and improving
greenhouse gas absorbing capabilities of our natural ecosystems including
forests, tundra, farmland, marshes and seas.
Taking a promise of reaching carbon neutrality by
2060 does not mean that Russia
is refraining from achieving this goal earlier. The success depends on availability
of new technologies and funds to finance this transition.
Through history human ingenuity has always led to
finding solutions to the most complex issues. We are confident that this time humanity
will also develop solutions that will bring a better future. Climate change
requires all countries to work together and share knowledge and tools.
Therefore, there should be no discrimination or restrictions
preventing countries from accessing and using technologies and financing tools
that will facilitate development of new sustainable infrastructure, capture and
storage, decarbonization, improvement of energy efficiency, and support
transition to clean energy. And if someone will be hampering this all of us
would know who should be blamed for failing to reach climate goals.
International efforts are also critical for
enhancing cooperation in areas of ecosystem management, developing and
improving monitoring and reporting emission and absorption practices as well as
measuring progress in meeting climate goals. It is critical to develop common
fair and transparent rules for carbon pricing measurement and ensure their
multilateral recognition and comparability between countries.
In October 2021 the Russian Government has
adopted a new 2050 Strategy of Social and Economic Development with Low
Greenhouse Gas Emission. This strategy outlines measures that by 2050 compared to
1990 will bring our country to an 80% net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
while maximizing absorbing capacity of our forests and other ecosystems. It
also outlines low greenhouse gas emission development measures until 2050.
To achieve these ambitious objectives, we are
focusing on improving our forest management practices, enhancing wildland fire
prevention and response capabilities, preserving and increasing wilderness
areas, introducing new farming practices as well as engaging in transformation
towards cleaner energy. Our energy companies are implementing low emission
technologies to ensure production, delivery and distribution of cleaner fuel to
consumers. Our regions are engaging in pilot projects that will help finding
solutions to these problems. We welcome participation of international
community in these projects.
Renewable energy sources are increasing their
share in energy balances of countries throughout the world. With 86% of our
energy generation coming from solar, wind, natural gas, nuclear and hydro power
Russia’s
energy balance is already an example of one of the lowest carbon emissions per
unit. We intend to maintain this leadership by introducing blue and green hydrogen
and promoting the use this new fuel through the economy.
At the same time our Government Strategy is pursuing
the goal of finding and maintaining a balance between policies aimed at addressing
climate challenges and reaching sustainable development goals to continue
economic growth and improvement of living standard of our people.
Building a safer environment implies significant investments
and changes that will affect economies, create new markets, redirect resources
and alter supply chains as well as lives of the people. It is our deep belief
that addressing global warming and climate change should not lead to further
increase of poverty. Not just in the developing but in the developed world as
well.
Transition to new economy should be based on an
equilibrium where investment returns and long-term asset value increase will be
balanced by reliable energy supply that meets growing energy demand as well as the
goals of reduction and absorption of greenhouse gas emissions. The solution of
this equilibrium will determine the living standard of our descendants. This is
a new economic balance that all of us will need to find together.
And while this will be happening, at the time of
these enormous changes, and in the future Russia will remain a reliable
supplier of energy to international markets and consumers.
Hope I did not take too much of your time. Thank
you very much.
