Report Shows Greenhouse Gas Controls Help Russian Economic Growth

Putin Adviser Criticisms of Kyoto Protocol Effectively Rebutted in New Report

Posted: 19-Apr-2004; Updated: 27-Aug-2007

On the eve of crucial April 22 climate treaty talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and European Union President Romano Prodi, Environmental Defense today released a new report effectively dismissing the claims of climate skeptics in Russia and the United States. The Environmental Defense report demonstrates that reducing greenhouse gas pollution in Russia supports President Putin's goal of improving the efficiency of Russia's economy, while protecting the health of Russia's economy, its people and ecosystems.

"The climate skeptics are sounding more out of touch every day," said Environmental Defense international counsel Annie Petsonk. "It's clear that participation in the Kyoto Protocol will bring strong environmental and economic benefits to Russia, while the costs of inaction are continually growing higher."

The new Environmental Defense report, The Dangers of Climate Change and the Benefits for the Russian Federation of Participating in the Kyoto Protocol for the Russian Federation (available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/kyoto), summarizes the overwhelming economic consensus that action on the climate problem will be advantageous for Russia and the scientific consensus finding that climate change is occurring and requires urgent action to avert dangerous global warming. A key issue in the Putin-Prodi talks is whether, as the climate treaty's chief Kremlin opponent Andrei Illarionov claims, the Kyoto Protocol will plunge Russia into poverty.

"Cleaning up greenhouse gas pollution can save tens of thousands of Russian lives and billions of rubles each year," said Dr. Alexander Golub, Environmental Defense senior economist.

"If Russia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol, the difference between Russia's allowable and its expected emissions will be a new resource that can leverage large investment in cleaner and more efficient energy in Russia," said Peter Goldmark, Environmental Defense Climate and Air Program director.

The Report

The Dangers of Climate Change and the Benefits for the Russian Federation of Participating in the Kyoto Protocol (April 2004) (377 Kb)     Author:  Alexander Golub, Environmental Defense     Editor: Annie Petsonk, Environmental Defense     Other Contributing Authors:   Dan Dudek, Environmental Defense E. Strukova James Wang, Environmental Defense S. Avaliani A. Markandya

• Report: Environmental Aspects of Dual Pricing for Natural Gas in Russia (4/26/04)
• Article: Social Forum Urges Putin to Ratify Kyoto Protocol (10/08/03)
• Press Release: Putin Opens Door to Ratification of Kyoto Protocol at Conference (9/29/03)
• Russia Needs the Kyoto Treaty - International Herald Tribune article (10/30/03)
• Check out the latest Global Warming Headlines in the News, with links to articles and editorials on the science and politics of climate change.

For information on the recent Moscow World Climate Change Conference, including the Social Forum on Climate Change (co-sponsored by Environmental Defense) and additional materials on Russia's particiation in the Kyoto Protocol, click here.