The Russian Federation
United Nations COP 17
Position Paper on Negotiations on Climate Change and the Suggested Steps by the Russian Government

In a fight to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, the Russian government acknowledges that there is an immediate need to collectively take action to combat this global issue. Russia feels that this can be accomplished, with the implementation of strict resolutions, whilst avoiding any detrimental effects to a growing economy.
In 1997, Russia made a responsible decision to join The Kyoto Protocol. Albeit it a small step on the long road to reduce CO2 emissions; it was never the less, a decisive action which proved Russia’s commitment and accountability to reduce climate change. Originally Russia set out to reduce its CO2 emissions by 5% since 1990. Today, however, Russia has re-evaluated its target to a 15% reduction by 2020. To date, Russia has already successfully cut more emissions than required by the Kyoto Protocol.
Due to its size and geography – much of Russia being located in the Polar Regions, It is expected to be hit hardest by climate change. Climate change is expected to manifest itself in the form of increased frequencies and severity of natural phenomena such as floods, winter melts, and gas leaks. According to Russian Natural Resources Minister Yury Truntyev, “Over the last 100 years, sea levels have risen approximately 10 centimetres – if this tendency continues they will rise by 10 to 20 centimetres by 2050. If the oceans rise by 10 centimetres by 2050 to 2070, a significant portion of St. Petersburg and Yamal could flood – if they rise by 20 centimetres the Arkangelsk and Murmansk regions are at risk of flooding as well as a number of other regions in the country.” This in itself is proof of the severity and importance Russia places on the negotiations and fundamental policies members