Statement by Mr. Ruslan Edelgeriev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, Special Envoy on Climate Issues at the United Nations Climate Action Summit
Distinguished Secretary-General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Russia supports the motto of the United Nations Climate Action Summit - it is time to move from words to action. President of France, a great friend of Russia, has already accomplished half of my mission. It is only the protocol part which is left for me. Today, I have the honor to announce that according to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 21 September, 2019 the Russian Federation adopted the Paris Agreement and is becoming a rightful party to this international legal instrument.
What is next? Global future ambitious efforts should be based on the present solid and stable foundation. The Russian Federation already takes the leading position in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base year of 1990 - for this period, our joint emissions have almost half declined. I am talking about 41 bln tons of the CO2 equivalent, which, on a global scale, resulted in slowing the global warming down for a whole year.
Besides, it’s noteworthy mentioning that Russia also contributes greatly to the carbon dioxide absorption in one more way which is not part of the obligations but is crucial. These are boreal forests, which are “the lungs” of the Planet.
We intend to have an ambitious approach to reviewing our nationally determined contribution.
In our country, modern system of state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions with due regard to the best national and international practices as well as for the positions of the academia and business society is being established.
Russian scientists continue to greatly contribute to this work with Russian low-carbon technologies being successfully introduced worldwide.
Meanwhile in Russia itself, which is the largest energy power, energy balance even today complies with the low-carbon requirements. More than half of primary energy resources accounts for natural gas which has an undeniable advantage to other fuels in terms of emissions. More than a third of energy is produced by non-carbon sources — nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, as well as renewable energy.
Distinguished Secretary-General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to say that climate change is our common challenge, there is no place for politicization and conflict issues to be put on the climate agenda as well as for the division of states by block principles.
Thank you for attention.
