Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov held a working meeting with Head of European Union Delegation to Russia Markus Ederer. The focus was on the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow.
On the Russian side, the need to focus on the main agenda of the conference, in particular the finalisation of the negotiations on the rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, was highlighted. "It is important to focus on the instruments to achieve the goals already set, primarily on the general rules and mechanisms of the Paris Agreement on the implementation of climate projects," said the head of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Maxim Reshetnikov confirmed the position of the Russian Federation on the technological neutrality of the mechanisms for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. "The contribution of any technology to combating climate change must be considered if it is to actually reduce emissions. Discrimination against technology is unacceptable," he stressed, adding that it is essential to ensure that any climate policies and measures are in line with WTO norms.
The minister also suggested moving towards the widest and most open global carbon market possible and establishing mutual recognition of carbon units issued in different countries. He expressed his willingness to work in bilateral and multilateral formats on mutual recognition of units and their verification systems.
The head of the Ministry of Economic Development said that Russia is actively shaping the regulatory framework for its climate policy. A federal law "On Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions" has been adopted, and a sub-legislative framework for its implementation is being developed. In 2022, Russia will launch regional experiments to establish special regulation of greenhouse gas emission limits. Russia has demonstrated that it is committed to achieving its goal of combating climate change and complying with previous multilateral agreements.
At the end of the meeting, attended by representatives of 12 EU member states, the parties agreed to continue the dialogue on topics of mutual interest in order to reach multilateral and bilateral agreements, as well as to exchange experiences and practices on adaptation and combating climate change.
