Russian Ministry of Energy and coal business speak against carbon-free development of Eastern Siberia
As the Kommersant has got to know, presidential envoy in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev has suggested transforming Eastern Siberia into carbon-free zone. The Ministry of Natural Resources supported the idea, suggested by results of the Paris climate conference, but the Ministry of Energy believes that it will cost the business too much and increase social tensions. According to experts, the Ministries’ positions reflect a difference of opinion in the business environment - while a number of companies hasten the introduction of carbon regulation, primarily coal business is opposed to such initiatives.
The Kommersant has a letter addressed to Vladimir Putin, signed by the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources Sergei Donskoy, supporting the idea of the transformation of Eastern Siberia in the carbon-free area by 2050. The Ministry of Natural Resources "prepared and submitted for approval to the other departments a draft order approving the plan for implementing a set of measures for the ratification of the Paris climate agreement". One of its points (also is a part of the obligations of countries of the Paris agreement) is the development of long-term development strategy for low greenhouse gas emissions until 2050 by the Ministry of Economy. As part of the strategy the Ministry of Natural Resources proposes to implement the pilot project on turning Eastern Siberia in the carbon-free zone. According to the Ministry, this will be helped by the transfer to renewable energy sources, introduction of carbon taxes, tax breaks, subsidies for the use of the best available technologies, afforestation growth and the creation of the carbon market.
