Russia's Climate Change Record

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  "authors": [
    "David Burwell"
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  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center"
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  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia",
    "Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics"
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  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Caucasus",
    "Russia",
    "North America"
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  "topics": [
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In The Media

Russia's Climate Change Record

Russia has acted to address climate change, but implementation remains problematic. The ongoing drought and forest fires are a wake-up call to the realities of climate change for both Russia’s public and its government officials.

By David Burwell

Published on Aug 4, 2010

Source: PRI's The World

As the world’s most carbon-intensive economy, Russia faces ecological issues and potential social disruptions as a result of climate change. Under the leadership of President Medvedev, Russia has taken some proactive steps toward addressing climate change. However, it still has a way to go in reversing bureaucratic resistance and changing public opinion, both of which are necessary for successful implementation of climate change policies. The ongoing drought and forest fires will open the eyes of the Russian public and government officials to the realities of climate change and the need for action, contended David Burwell.

“I think this is a wake-up call ... that action is needed," Burwell stated. "This may give the bureaucracy some incentive to move ahead and actually adopt and pursue the targets laid down by President Medvedev. They’re going to have to …modernize and diversify their economy. And if they do that, you can see that they are taking this new evidence and these events seriously.”

About the Author

David Burwell

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Energy and Climate Program

Burwell focused on the intersection between energy, transportation, and climate issues, as well as policies and practice reforms to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.

Recent Work

Paper
The Politics of Plenty: Balancing Climate and Energy Security
- David Burwell
In The Media
Beijing: The City of Long Distances
- David Burwell

Climate Change Caucasus Russia North America

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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