BFF-37 Russia adopts Paris climate agreement: decree

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RUSSIA-CLIMATE-POLITICS-ENVIRONMENT

Russia adopts Paris climate agreement: decree

MOSCOW, Sept 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Russia’s prime minister on Monday gave
formal support to the Paris climate agreement and ordered Russian laws to be
adapted to its obligations, according to a decree posted on the government’s
website.

The document signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says that Russia is
formally adopting the 2015 Paris agreement and will now “allocate financial
resources… to developing countries for prevention and adaptation to climate
change.”

While not formally named a “ratification,” the government said in a
statement that the decree signifies Russia’s adoption of the agreement and
“Russia’s consent to the obligations under the Paris Agreement”.

A government source told AFP that the document is the “last step in the
procedure of Russia’s adoption of the Paris agreement”.

Presenting his decree at a government meeting, Medvedev said that it is
important for Russia to participate in the process of reducing emissions.

“The threat of climate change is (the) destruction of the ecological
balance, increased risks for successful development of key industries… and
most importantly, threat to safety of people living on permafrost and
increase of natural disasters.”

The news comes just hours ahead of a new major UN climate summit, aimed to
reinvigorate the faltering Paris accord as mankind is releasing more
greenhouse gases than ever into the atmosphere.

One of the world’s key energy producers, Russia has remained one of the
largest economies and polluters that signed but failed to ratify the accord.

Greenpeace Russia in a statement welcomed the decision.

“Russia’s actions have great significance: our country has a huge potential
to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions,” the environmental organisation said
in a statement.

BSS/AFP/SSS/2012 hrs