Alexander Bedritsky noted that Russia regards the entry into force of the Paris Agreement as a good incentive and opportunity to evolve toward a low carbon future. The Government of the Russian Federation is carrying out a package of measures to improve state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and prepare the Paris Agreement for ratification. One of the first steps in these preparations is to elaborate a strategy for long-term development (middle of the century) with low greenhouse emissions.
Mr Bedritsky said non-carbon energy sources – nuclear and hydroelectric power plants – generate about 40 percent of electricity in Russia. Renewable energy technology is especially important for Russia, which has to supply electricity to remote areas that are not part of the United Power Grid. By 2024 Russia plans to put into service about 6 GW of new capacity – solar and wind power stations and small hydroelectric plants. Alexander Bedritsky emphasised that although the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement do not legally bind Russia to render financial aid to developing countries, it voluntarily provides climate-related donor support to countries in need.
Mr Bedritsky reported on the launch, in October 2016, in Nadi, Fiji, of the Russia-funded project of the UN programme aimed at enhancing the capabilities of small developing island nations in the Pacific to effectively prepare for and respond to natural disasters, including those linked with climate change. The project’s total budget amounts to $7.5 million.