Energy Transition and ‘Green Agenda’ in Russia: Fashion or Hard Reality?

The “green agenda” has for years now marched victoriously across the planet, changing the political and economic landscape of the contemporary world ever more radically. The “green wind” has now reached Russia too. There are several aspects at once here.

First of all, this concerns relations with Western Europe where Russia’s main energy exports flow. Europe’s Green Deal promises serious problems to Russian supply of hydrocarbons. Carbon tax border adjustments are already looming on the horizon. But export is not the only point.

Demands are heard more and more loudly in Russia that the state should support development of a low-carbon economy and fit into the general trend: expand subsidisation for renewable energy, encourage energy saving, step up the fight against CO2 emissions.

Who, how, for what reasons, and how successfully is involved in pushing through this agenda in Russia?

The report is a sort of guidebook to lobbyists for the green agenda in the country and to the government regulators responsible for the subject.

You will learn from the report answers to the following questions:

• What is President Putin’s position on climate?

  • What was Russia’s goal in joining the Paris Agreement?

• Role of the presidential administration in forming the “green agenda”

  • Activities of the presidential adviser on climate and the Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate

• Position of government regulators

  • Key figures responsible for climate in the Economic Development Ministry, Natural Resources Ministry, Energy Ministry, Industry and Trade Ministry, and other government ministries and agencies
  • System of climate policy-making in Russia

• Role of the expert community in promoting economic aspects

• Corporate lobbyists for the “green agenda”

  • Manufacturers of equipment for renewable energy and energy saving
  • Companies believing themselves to be manufacturers of green products

• Oil and gas corporations and pressure concerning climate: how to organise defence?

• A medium-term forecast

Contents of the report: