Russia bucks trend with targets that increase emissions by 30 percent

Russia has found a loophole to international calls to reduce emissions compared to 1990 levels: Since 1990, the country has ceased much of its industrial activity.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has now proposed that the country reduce its emissions by 10 percent to 15 percent by 2020 against 1990 levels.

The proposal would result in allowable emissions of 3 billion tons of greenhouse gas in 2020—a 30 percent increase over 2007's 2.2 billion tons of emissions.

The news comes just a few months after Russia announced plans to increase the share of renewable energy generation from less than 1 percent today to 4.5 percent in 2020 (see Russia sets renewable-energy mandates).

Russia, which relies predominantly on natural gas and coal for its energy supplies, is currently the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, with a quarter of its emissions coming from energy generation.

In explaining the new emissions targets, Medvedev said Russia did not want to restrict development. The same reason has been cited by developing nations (see A Copenhagen call to action).

However, recent reports on the shipping and airline industries have shown that efficiency improvements can reduce emissions while saving businesses money (see Report: Shipping sector could cut CO2 by 25%—at no cost). 

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