Report - UNDP Russia

Although the United Nations ClimateChange Conference in Copenhagen in 2009 did notmark a breakthrough in putting the climate issue atcenter stage of the world economy and nationaleconomies, its results will have major impact forstrengthening and expansion of the drive towardslow-carbon development, which the leading nationsof the World are embarked upon. The CopenhagenAccord (the political document developed andadopted by world leaders at the Conference)confirmed the commitment of most developedcountries to keep global warming under 2 o C andstart immediate actions for prevention of andadaptation to climate change, to organize relevantfinancing and technologies, and to stop forestdevastation in developing countries. The strategicmeasures for energy saving and GHG emissionsreduction at the national level that have alreadybeen adopted or are under development willinfluence global markets (both markets fortraditional fuel & energy, and the new market forGHG emission certificates) and will encouragetransfer and distribution of energy-efficient and lowcarbon technologies.Adoption of the Climate Doctrine of theRussian Federation, signed by the Russian Presidenton November 17, 2009, is an important stepforward. The Doctrine sets out attitudes towards thegoal, principles, content and means ofimplementation of a unified climate change policyin the Russian Federation. The strategic goal of theRussia’s climate change policy is to ensure safe andsustainable national development, including theinstitutional, economic, environmental and social(including demographic) aspects of suchdevelopment, in the context of climate change andrelated threats and challenges. The Doctrine paysspecial attention to development of Russian climatescience, which many prominent experts believe tobe in need of strong state support.Objective media coverage of problemsrelated to climate change and its implications,including ‘popular science’ approaches to climateawareness, is a priority for Russia. Successfuldevelopment and implementation of Russia’s climatechange policy will depend on greater environmentalawareness and understanding of climate changeissues among government officials, business people,civil society and the general public.Almost simultaneous adoption of theClimate Doctrine and of the Energy Policy of Russiaup to 2030 (approved by Governmental DecreeNo.1715-r, dated November 13, 2009) bodes well forclose integration of energy and climate policies withrespect to action plans and socio-economicdevelopment programmes.27