Kiera Jefferson
Russia, the world's largest country by landmass, has been facing a myriad of environmental issues, including air pollution, water pollution, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change. While the Russian government has taken some steps to address these issues, the country's environmental outlook remains challenging. This is partly due to the legacy of Soviet-era policies that prioritized heavy industry and defense, resulting in inefficient and polluting infrastructure, as well as a lack of environmental awareness and education among the public. Today, Russia's economic development continues to be prioritized over environmental protection, with the country lagging in implementing ambitious climate policies and renewable energy targets. However, there are some positive developments, including initiatives to promote electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.
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Electric vehicles
In August 2021, Russia approved the 'Concept for the Development of Electric Vehicle Production', which aims to increase the production and adoption of EVs. The strategy sets a target of EVs constituting at least 10% of domestically produced vehicles by 2030. To achieve this, the government plans to provide subsidies of up to 25% for domestically produced EVs, making them more affordable for consumers. Russia also intends to stimulate local production and develop its own electric vehicles, such as the KAMAZ company's "KAMA-1", which is expected to be the most affordable electric car in the world when it enters production in 2023.
In addition to these measures, Russia has also approved plans to construct 9,400 charging stations by 2024 and increase local manufacturing capacity to produce at least 25,000 EVs in the same timeframe. By 2030, the country aims to have at least 72,000 charging stations and a 10% EV share of total vehicle manufacturing.
However, the current economic sanctions imposed on Russia have limited its ability to import key technological components, such as semiconductors, which has impacted the domestic production of automobiles. Additionally, Russia's role as a major supplier of metals and gases used in EV batteries and renewable technologies has been affected by the war in Ukraine, leading to price increases and potential setbacks in the global rollout of low-carbon technology.
Despite these challenges, Russia's long-term climate strategy includes a commitment to a modal shift for passenger and freight transport to less carbon-intensive modes, and the country has taken concrete steps towards decarbonizing its transport sector.
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Water treatment
Water pollution is a serious issue in Russia, with 75% of surface water and 50% of all water in the country being polluted. This is due to the unchecked dumping of chemicals and waste by thousands of companies, as well as inefficient and obsolete water treatment facilities. Only 8% of wastewater is fully treated before being returned to waterways, and 35-60% of the country's drinking water reserves do not meet sanitary standards.
The Russian government has taken some steps to address these issues. In 2010, they approved the Clean Water Federal Target Programme, which aims to provide clean water to all communities in Russia by replacing infrastructure and improving water quality. The government has also set up various testing programs to ensure tap water safety, regularly sampling and analyzing water from sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater, as well as treated water from distribution systems.
In addition to federal efforts, a team of former equipment suppliers to Russia's largest energy company, Gazprom, and the Novosibirsk Institute of Mining have created and implemented a new water purification system called the Aquifer. This system uses electrolysis to kill bacteria and stirs the water intensively to oxygenate it. The Aquifer is a sustainable solution that improves water quality while reducing energy consumption.
Russia has also reported that it has begun implementing tasks for the modernization and construction of water facilities, transitioning to a more flexible and adaptive system and management strategy. These measures aim to improve the quality of water available to the population and eliminate the unsatisfactory state of the drinking water supply and low efficiency of the water management system.
Despite these efforts, enforcement of water quality standards varies across Russia, and issues like old infrastructure, funding gaps, and regional water differences continue to affect water quality.
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Air quality
Air pollution is a significant issue in Russia, with over 200 cities exceeding the country's pollution limits. Vehicle emissions are now the primary source of air pollution in most Russian cities, with the number of vehicles on the road increasing rapidly. This increase in vehicle emissions has offset the reductions in industrial air pollution resulting from decreased economic activity and a greater reliance on natural gas.
The health impacts of air pollution in Russia are severe. According to the Russian Ministry of Health, children exposed to higher levels of air pollution experience 70% more illnesses than those in unpolluted areas. Air pollution is attributed to 17% of childhood and 10% of adult diseases, as well as 41% of respiratory and 16% of endocrine diseases. A study of Volgograd, a highly polluted city, estimated that particulate emissions from stationary sources caused 960 to 2,667 additional deaths per year.
Russia's long-term climate strategy includes a commitment to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. The government has taken some initiatives to improve air quality, such as implementing electrified public transportation systems in cities like St. Petersburg and introducing electric vehicle charging stations in Moscow. Electric vehicle sales in Russia tripled in 2021, and the government approved an EV concept that targets the construction of 9,400 charging stations and local manufacturing of at least 25,000 EVs by 2024.
However, Russia's overall efforts to tackle climate change and air pollution have been criticized as insufficient. The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) rates Russia's current policies as "Highly Insufficient," indicating that the country's emissions are rising rather than falling. Russia's energy strategy has been criticized for lacking ambition, and the country has rolled back some environmental protection and emission reduction measures in 2022.
Upgrading equipment in the fuel and energy sectors could significantly impact reducing carbon emissions. The Ministry of Fuels and Energy estimates that modernizing equipment could cut carbon emissions by 25%. Additionally, Russia's Energy Research Institute predicts that better matching regional generating capacity with electricity demand could save up to $1 billion in fuel annually.
While Russia faces financial constraints in addressing environmental issues, effective use of resources is crucial. Implementing tax incentives and further reducing subsidies for heavy industry and mining firms could encourage the adoption of more efficient technologies and environmentally friendly practices.
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Deforestation
Russia contains the largest area of natural forests in the world, covering 49% of its landmass and 815 million hectares, or 23% of the planet's total forest area. From 2001 to 2019, Russia lost 64 million hectares of relative tree cover, equivalent to an 8.4% decrease since 2000 and 17% of the global total.
The Federal Forestry Agency of Russia is responsible for forest policy, regulation of forests, and enacting new laws to combat illegal deforestation. The 2013 Russian Roundwood Act requires the timber process to have documentation for Roundwood transportation, logs of valuable hardwoods, and Roundwood sales to be declared in an open-source database, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, an export tax in 2008 aimed to restrict log exports, reduce the loss of forest resources, and increase domestic processing, jobs, and revenue for the domestic forestry industry.
Despite these efforts, funding for park rangers is lacking, limiting the protection of forests. Furthermore, there are millions of hectares where it is unclear whether they are agricultural or forest areas, making it difficult to understand where illegal logging takes place.
Russia's deforestation contributes to global warming and climate change, and it has caused the loss of habitat and species diversity. The forests support a wide range of species, including the Amur tiger, brown bear, and reindeer, which require forest habitats to survive. Deforestation has also made the forests more vulnerable to fires, disease, and destruction by pests. It has also contributed to social problems, poverty, isolation, and disease among indigenous peoples who depend on the forests for their survival.
To address these issues, Russia has implemented the national Forestry Development Strategy 2030, which includes the federal project "Conservation of Forests," focused on reforestation and fire protection. However, the implementation of forest protection policies has been slow, and Russia's plan to meet its climate commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement relies largely on counting Siberia's carbon uptake as an offset against the country's industrial emissions.
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Animal welfare
Russia's Penal Code addresses animal cruelty under its chapter on crimes against human health and public morality. The Code prohibits causing injury or death to an animal with malicious or mercenary motives, sadistic methods, or in the presence of minors. Besides the anti-cruelty provisions of the Penal Code, there are no animal welfare laws addressing farm animals, companion animals, animals used in research, animals used for work, or animals used for recreation. In 2014, Russia's animal protection regulations received a failing grade on the World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index.
In 2013, the Russian animal activist organization VITA Animal Rights Center organized anti-fur protests spanning 46 Russian cities. VITA has also campaigned for better conditions for farm animals, promoted veganism, opposed fur production, pushed for the use of alternatives to animal testing, and addressed Russia's stray cat and dog problem through sterilization and the provision of shelter. In 2014, VITA published undercover videos of circus trainers abusing circus animals. LAPA, a UK animal charity founded in 2013, aims to reduce pet overpopulation and animal cruelty through sterilization programs and educational initiatives.
In May 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a list of instructions aimed at promoting a "society with a responsible relationship toward animals." This included orders for records of pets and monitoring stray animals, as well as encouraging voluntary sterilization, vaccination, and tagging of domestic pets. However, critics argue that the government's efforts are insufficient, and more focus should be placed on educating people about humane treatment and responsible pet ownership.
There have been calls for stricter legislation to protect animal welfare in Russia. The introduction of Federal Law No. 498-ФЗ, which bans the culling of stray animals and promotes their maintenance in shelters and sterilization, is a welcome step. Additionally, the UDAW (Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare), a proposed international acknowledgement of principles for animal welfare, has been encouraged as a way to demonstrate the Russian government's commitment to improving animal protection.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of pollution in Russia are vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and inefficient energy usage.
The effects of pollution in Russia include health issues such as respiratory and endocrine diseases, waterborne diseases, and environmental degradation, such as deforestation and the death of wildlife.
The Russian government has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and is taking steps to decarbonise its transport sector, including tripling electric vehicle sales and investing in charging infrastructure. However, Russia has also rolled back some environmental protection measures and has been criticised for a lack of commitment to curbing emissions.
Challenges to reducing pollution in Russia include a lack of political will to implement environmental policies, socioeconomic and institutional barriers, and the impact of economic sanctions on the country's ability to import key technological components.
