What are the Environment policies of Russia?

Although an environmental management system exists in Russia, a lack of resources to tackle environmental problems is preventing Russia from effectively implementing environmental protective measures. However, the government is planning to introduce an environmental security system to address this problem. The country has also agreed upon various international environmental agreements to take up conservation activities.

Environmental management systems

Russia’s environmental management systems are well equipped with various levels of controls and streamlined monitoring systems. The environmental management system is headed by a three-tier executive federal governance body comprising federal ministries (charged with developing state policies), federal services (with supervision and control functions), and federal agencies (with resource development and service provision). The three-tire system enables effective policy making,implementation and supervision. This system is presently playing a vital role in co-coordinating various conservation activities in Russia.

Future prospects

Environmental security system

The Russian government is planning to set up an effective security system to prevent pollution and man-made environmental disasters. The main tasks outlined by the government include the implementation of environmental decisions consistently and completely, and the creation of an effective system for ecological security in the country. The system is expected to effectively deal with man-made pollution and provide solutions to new environmental problems and challenges. Strict measures will also be taken for the disposal of waste accumulated over years of economic and military activities. The government is simultaneously going to introduce an exclusive sector for clean technology and is set to draw measures to minimize environmental consequences resulting from oil pipeline and offshore hydrocarbon projects.

International co-operation

Russia is extending and participating in various international co-operation agreements related to different aspects of the economy. In June 2008, the country agreed to co-operate with China on a variety of environmental activities. Under the new agreement both Russia and China have made great progress in environmental cooperation and have pledged to boost their cooperation in the coming years. This co-operation is mainly designed to boost cleaning-up activities in areas which are affected by toxic wastes in both the countries. The Russian government has entered into similar agreements with Indonesia, Japan and the Czech Republic to develop various environmental technologies designed to improve environmental protection and conservation. These environmental pacts will further the cause of environmental protection in Russia.

Increased investment in global environmental facility

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF), established in 1991, helps developing countries to finance projects and programs to protect the global environment. Russia attaches great importance to GEF’s activities and has cooperated with it since 1992. Although the country is a participant in many activities conducted by GEFI, it has never financially supported the organization. However, in the beginning of 2008, Russia invested about $270 million in GEF. This will bring adequate resources to the organization in the coming years to successfully run 24 projects dealing with issues like biological diversity, climate change, international waters and ozone depletion taken up by various governments.

Source: Datamonitor country report