· 3 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Moscow Times or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the country to raise its greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 20% above 2021 levels by 2035
• The target — 65–67% of 1990 emissions levels — factors in carbon absorption by Russia’s forests and equates to around two billion metric tons of CO₂ equivalent
• While still below Russia’s 1990 peak, the new goal marks a rollback in ambition and is at odds with calls for deeper cuts to meet global climate targets
🔭 The context: Russia, the world’s fourth-largest carbon emitter, has committed to net-zero emissions by 2060 but has repeatedly set goals viewed as weak by climate advocates
• The choice of 1990 as a baseline inflates perceived progress, as emissions fell sharply in the early 1990s due to the post-Soviet industrial collapse
• At past climate summits, Russia has resisted fossil fuel phase-outs, reflecting its economic dependence on oil and gas exports
• The country is experiencing climate change at 2.5 times the global rate, with serious risks for its Arctic regions and permafrost
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Raising the allowable emissions ceiling undermines the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting warming to 1.5°C
• With global temperatures already perilously close to that threshold, the move signals a major emitter stepping back from more ambitious mitigation
• The decision could also encourage other fossil fuel–dependent economies to weaken their own targets, eroding international climate cooperation
⏭️ What's next: Russia will now draft implementation measures to meet the revised 2035 target, with a continued emphasis on forest carbon accounting
• International pressure is expected to intensify ahead of COP30, where negotiators will assess collective progress under the Paris Agreement
• Geopolitical tensions and sanctions over the war in Ukraine make substantial changes to Russia’s climate policy unlikely in the near term
💬 One quote: “Russia’s targets are vague and unambitious… Using 1990 as a baseline masks the reality of increasing emissions.” — Climate activists’ criticism at past summits
📈 One stat: The new decree permits emissions of ~2 billion metric tons CO₂e by 2035 — around 22% higher than in 2021
Explore carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies on Data Hub™ — the first platform designed to help sustainability providers generate sales leads!
Click for more news covering the latest on public governance
