Minister of Natural Resources: It is necessary to involve business in promoting green energy

On November 17, 2015 the international conference "The global climate challenge: dialogue between state, business and society" was held under the auspices of Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The conference began with a welcoming message of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Then the floor was given to the speakers. Among them - the Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, Special Representative of the Russian President on Climate A. Bedritsky, Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment S.Donskoy, head of Roshydromet A.Frolov, Chairman of RUSNANO A.Chubais and others.

Guests of the conference were also presented video messages of UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme A.Shtayner, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change K.Figueres, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Jarraud.

At the conference, Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology S.Donskoy told journalists about the Russia's position on carbon regulation and the preparation to the COP21.

Your expectations – will parties sign a climate agreement in Paris?

We wholeheartedly support the signing of this agreement.

We are on the verge of the Paris climate conference and, depending on its results, will form our own political agenda. But, as I have stated, we have initiatives that are being implemented now. And, technologies, as mentioned by Anatoly Chubais. Last year, we passed a bill, stipulating that these technologies should be introduced by 2019. That, in turn, is a very powerful mechanism for the green energy development. We have the basis for it right now, regulatory documents are being prepared.

Regardless to the COP21 results, we will ensure the modernization of production, introducing green technologies and enhancing competitiveness. In particular, due to its ecology characteristics.

The level of emissions reduction, undertaken by Russia. This goal is to be achieved in 2020. And by 2030 it stays the same. Does that mean that from 2020 to 2030 we do not change anything?

No, we should take into account the fact that we consider these figures amid the economic growth.

In spite of the current tough situation, all colleagues from the economic bloc say that the economic growth will begin in the nearest future. It will lead to the expansion of production in any case. If you do not change the taxes and modernize the production segment, emissions will increase, and it will complicate the achievement of the indicators that we talked about.

That goal we have stipulated should be achieved in view of economic growth. In any case, it will be necessary to upgrade and introduce new technologies. With an increase in the economy and production will have to keep this figure. I believe that this is an achievable goal that will require quite serious investments.

Talking about the economic mechanism of GHG emissions regulations, the Minister agreed that Russia needs such mechanisms to stimulate the introduction of green energy and technologies:

This issue is only being discussed and no concrete decisions were taken.

After Paris, we will introduce a new system of monitoring. It will be made in two stages – in 2016 and 2018. We will have to work out some mechanism already by 2018 - either a payment or some other way to stimulate the green energy.

Firstly, this mechanism is to give impetus to investments. Secondly, it should not depress the production which already exists. Thus, we need to encourage green innovations and not to depress the production we already have. This is a general concept for today. The result we will see after 2018.

We support these mechanisms to emerge. We are now discussing this issue with the Ministry of Economy. We have many different options. There are positive examples. There are examples, which do not have results yet. We focus on the fact that this should be an effective mechanism that would stimulate investments.

How successful is the APG utilization project?

I consider it is a successful mechanism. If we compare it with similar mechanisms we previously had: firstly, the result of 85% within 3 years - this is the results we can be pleased with. Secondly, it is clear that when we started the project in 2009- 2011 no one believed we would succeed. Similar projects in the CIS countries have not achieved such results.

Despite current difficulties, companies continue to invest in APG utilization projects. This year we expect the growth to continue. Growth of 5% - this is a reference point for everybody. We will adhere to this figure and, I am sure, we will reach it. After the 90% there will be more serious struggle that will require extraordinary solutions.

I believe that climate change is a very serious issue and we discuss it at all government levels.  The climate doctrine was adopted for a reason. And, accordingly, the plan for the implementation of this doctrine.

We accepted some documents for the economy adoption to the climate change. Of course, we need greater efforts to attract more public, businesses and public authorities to this issue. I agree that we should be more active. For my part, I would like to say that the government actions at the moment correspond with the task that has been assigned.

Have any oil and gas joined the initiative of APG utilization under the agreement?

All companies in the country are required to achieve the target of 95% APG utilization. It is not even an initiative, it is a duty. I think that before the Paris conference, the company will announce their initiatives.

We want to engage the business in the climate development issue. After the Paris conference, we will not lower the amount of work to improve the environment, stimulating green energy and innovations.