Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important for all countries worldwide, and Russia, having one of the largest territories in the world, plays a key role in the global fight for climate preservation. At COP29 in Baku, in an exclusive interview with Report, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Maksim Korolkov discussed how the country addresses its environmental challenges, what measures are being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and Russia's role in international climate cooperation.
- Mr. Korolkov, what environmental challenges does Russia face today, and how is the country addressing them?
- Since 2019, Russia has been implementing the national project "Ecology," aimed at solving major environmental problems. These include improving air quality, protecting water resources, managing municipal waste, reducing polluted water discharge, preserving biodiversity and forests. Separate federal projects with their own targets have been developed for each direction. The key task is to achieve a balance between humans and nature. It's important to reach 100% compensation for forest resource use: planting as many trees as are cut down, and restoring nature in the same volumes as resources used. These measures have already shown their effectiveness. Today, the president of Russia has set new goals for 2030 and 2036. We have all the necessary tools, accumulated experience, competencies, and modern technologies to achieve them.
- What measures are being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and what are the results?
- An important direction is the greening of industry and energy. This work is being carried out in the most polluted cities under the federal project "Clean Air." Much attention is also paid to forest restoration, and a national greenhouse gas inventory is maintained, which allows accurate accounting of absorption and emission volumes. We use new calculation technologies that are already showing tangible results: previously unnoticed emission sources and the effect of implemented measures are being recorded. Our developments were presented on the eve of the COP29 conference.
- What role does Russia play in international cooperation on climate change? How do you assess the initiatives of developed countries in this area?
- Russia pays great attention to climate preservation, especially considering factors like permafrost and the Arctic zone. These territories are directly linked to global temperature changes. We are developing monitoring systems to understand how we impact the Arctic climate and the planet as a whole. Russia is open to international cooperation and shares its data and technologies with partners. We support the need to transfer modern technologies to developing countries to accelerate their transition to environmentally sustainable economic models.
- What expectations are associated with COP29 and what is your agenda at this conference?
- It's important for us to present Russia's achievements in reducing emissions, preserving water resources, and ensuring food security. Additionally, we expect to receive feedback from other countries and strengthen joint efforts in climate preservation.
- How do you assess the level of conference organization?
- The event organization is impressive: there's a clear interaction system, each participant can find topics of interest and national stands. A warm and friendly atmosphere has been created, conducive to open dialogue.