Russian PM: Climate Change No Excuse for Unfair Competition or Restrictions
/ Go to the mediabankRussian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin speaks during the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Baku, Azerbaijan. / Go to the mediabank
BAKU (Sputnik) – Global warming cannot be used as a pretext for discrimination of countries, transition to green energy should be without prejudice, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Wednesday. “It is important that the transition to low-emission energy takes place without compromising the development of low-income countries. The problem of global warming cannot be used as a pretext for discrimination, unfair competition and the introduction of artificial restrictions,” Mishustin told the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku. Commenting on the transition situation in Russia, the official said that 85% of Russia’s energy balance already comes from low-emission generation. “This is primarily gas, nuclear energy, from renewable sources. We are building up our own technologies and production capacities to decarbonize industries,” he added.AnalysisWest Forces ‘Green Agenda’ Upon Developing Countries for Own Political and Economic Gain12 November, 16:00 GMTRussia has halved its greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels and plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, the prime minister said.In addition, Russia is focusing on improving energy efficiency, developing electric transport and introducing modern solutions in agriculture and forestry, Mishustin said.COP29 is taking place in Baku from November 11-22. It is being attended by some 80 heads of state and government, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Representatives of international organizations have also arrived at the conference, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Council President Charles Michel, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.