The evolution of Russia`s climate policy has been a turbulent one, marked by changing political priorities and economic considerations. The country`s journey towards addressing climate change began with the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and has since progressed through various international agreements, culminating in the Paris Agreement of 2015. In this article, we will examine how Russia`s climate policy has evolved over the years, from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was a landmark agreement that aimed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Russia, then a major emitter of greenhouse gases, ratified the protocol in ratifying 2004. As per the protocol, Russia agreed to reduce its emissions by 5.2% compared to 1990 levels. However, Russia`s compliance with the agreement was subject to political and economic considerations.

The Russian government initially agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it later withdrew its support for the protocol. Russia argued that the agreement would harm its economic development, which was heavily reliant on the export of fossil fuels. The government also believed that the protocol favored developed countries at the expense of developing ones.

Copenhagen Accord

The Copenhagen Accord was another significant international agreement on climate change that followed the Kyoto Protocol. The accord recognized that climate change was a critical global issue and established a new, more robust framework for global action on climate change. Russia signed the accord in 2010 and pledged to reduce its emissions by 15-25% compared to 1990 levels by 2020.

However, Russia`s progress towards meeting its emission reduction targets was minimal. The country continued to prioritize economic development over environmental protection, and its greenhouse gas emissions remained high.

Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement, signed in December 2015, marked a significant shift in Russia`s climate policy. The agreement was a historic accord on climate change that aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Russia, among many other countries, ratified the agreement in 2019.

Under the Paris Agreement, Russia pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25-30% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. The agreement also recognized the need for global cooperation to address climate change and provided a framework for developing-country participation in climate action.

Conclusion

Russia`s journey towards addressing climate change has been a tumultuous one, marked by changing political priorities and economic considerations. From its initial reluctance to support the Kyoto Protocol to its historic signing of the Paris Agreement, Russia`s climate policy has come a long way. However, much remains to be done, and Russia must balance its economic development with its environmental responsibilities. With the Paris Agreement providing a blueprint for global action on climate change, the world is watching to see how Russia will live up to its commitments.