Mishustin approves Arctic environmental improvement plan

Photo by: zanskar / iStock

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has approved a set of measures designed to minimise pollution in Russia’s Arctic zone. Emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere will be reduced, as well as discharges into sea and river water areas. The relevant document has already been posted on the Russian government website.

There are 13 activities in the Arctic conservation plan. Each of them is assigned to a specific ministry or agency.

The Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Energy and regional authorities will take measures to reduce the use of coal and fuel oil as fuel and to switch boiler houses and CHP plants to natural gas, biofuels or wood pellets and wood chips.

The Ministry of Energy will draw up a plan to stimulate the conversion of road and water transport to gas.

The Ministry of Construction and the authorities of the regions in the Arctic zone are responsible for developing a programme for the construction and modernisation of wastewater treatment plants.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Rosprirodnadzor and the Ministry of Energy will work out proposals to increase charges for emissions and discharges of pollutants into the atmosphere and water.

The report to the document says that these measures are part of a single plan to implement the Principles of State Policy in the Arctic and the Strategy for Development of the Arctic Zone until 2035. The implementation of the measures will improve the quality of life of northerners, increase the Arctic zone’s contribution to the Russian economy, and ensure the conservation of the Arctic environment and sustainable development of the regions.

As a reminder, Sakhalin has recently made a number of environmental commitments, deciding to go carbon neutral in the region in as little as three years.

Cover photo: SeppFriedhuber / iStock