Photo by: Tarcisio Schnaider / iStock
Climate challenges are divided into physical risks and transition risks, which arise from legislation and technology in the transition to a green economy.
Physical risks are the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation. These are the increasing frequency of typhoons, floods, fires and droughts around the world. Many people question whether these phenomena are connected to anthropogenic influence and industrialisation. A few years ago, Russia shared the position of those who are convinced that the anthropogenic factor is key. Having signed the Paris Agreement, our country began actively adjusting legislation to adapt the economy to possible climate change.
There are many examples of physical climate risks. In Siberia, forest fires occur all the time and the main reason is the reduction of green cover in relation to infrastructure. In the European part of the country, the hot seasons have become more frequent. Rising temperatures affect everyone, but especially the elderly and people with various cardiovascular diseases. The permafrost boundary is shifting rapidly northwards, affecting infrastructure. And in the south there are droughts, leading to freshwater shortages and changes in agricultural practices.
Globally, the transition to a planned green economy is complicated by disruptions in the supply of resources. Reducing industrial use of coal and reducing greenhouse gas emissions has to be tackled at the same time as finding new technologies to absorb and reduce CO2 emissions.
China, for example, aims to complete the energy transition by 2060. Russia, too, has accepted responsibility for implementing energy transition programmes. However, difficulties have now emerged in their implementation and in finding new technologies. Nevertheless, both Russia and the world continue to develop the climate agenda against all odds, although in some places they have to revert to previous technologies.
Cover photo: WhitcombeRD / iStock
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