Russian business and non-government organizations to create Climate Partnership of Russia

Speaking about climate change, a world-known quote “the ice broke up” comes to mind. Last week RUSAL HQ held a meeting which united business and NGOs intended to create Climate Partnership of Russia. What does it mean and why is it important — in the article below. 

Paris Climate Summit, where 195 nations and EU accepted the new agreement aimed at climate change mitigation, has become the impetus for such an initiative. Joint attempt of state, business and society can lead to GHG emissions reduction and global technical modernization. The main goal is to keep the average temperature rise below 1,5 degrees Celcius.

In the framework of Paris Climate Summit there has been also the Caring for Climate business forum arranged by the UN Global Compact. This organization`s mission is to involve business into sustainable development activity and partnering between business, society and states. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner, US Secretary of State John Kerry and French Minister of sustainable development and ecology Segolene Royal gave a welcoming speech on the Forum opening ceremony. They all announced the global shift to low-carbon economy. The previous model doesn`t provide sustainable growth and prevent climate disaster.

“Markets and global economy have changed. It is necessary to review business-models, otherwise financial losses will be unavoidable” — Achim Steiner highlighted particularly.

The aim of Climate Partnership of Russia is to implement green innovations and practices in Russia.

Being a UN Global Compact participant, RUSAL, a united aluminium producer, has taken care of all the arrangements. Besides top managers and other employees the round table united representatives of Alfa Bank, VTB, Ingosstrakh, Rosatom, Rosnano, Rushydro, Russ-Invest, Sberbank, Ecopolis, Business Russia NGO, Russian Carbon Fund and Vnesheconombank representative Larisa Ovchinnikova as a Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Russia.

There has been two questions on the agenda — defining working platform and the association`s goals. Key subjects on climate policy have been touched upon in the course of the discussion. Business processes optimization, reducing carbon protection risks, climate finance and forms of GHG emissions state regulation.

Despite the difference in the interests, Russian business has managed to find mutual points for partnership. Common view on climate change adaptation will stimulate business development both in Russia and abroad. At the end of the meeting it was decided that every participant would make up his own list of most appropriate directions for the partnership`s activity .

On the basis of all the suggestions draft memorandum defining the working platform and goals of Climate Partnership of Russia will be issued.