National Contacts on Kyoto protocol

Russia pays great attention to the monitoring of climate change. Global warming becomes strong negative factor influencing ecosystems especially in Arctic region. Projects investigating consequenses and adaptation mechanisms to climate change are being implemented in cooperation with experts from other countries. Since 2000 research continues under the programs of the Arctic Council (ACIA), the International Polar Year.

In October, 2005 Commission of the Russian Academy of sciences on biodiversity conservation discussed problems of the climate change influence on biodiversity and developed recommendations for assessment of the biodiversity trends and priorities for further studies.

The problems of desertification are being discussed by the Association of regions of Russia suffered by desertification. The journal "Arid ecosystems" is being published. Special measures are being planned and undertaken on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in arid and semi-arid regions under several Federal and regional programs. Russia submit the National report to the Convention to combat desertification.

Russia is the Party to Kyoto protocol and carries out the corresponding policy in this direction. The Plan of actions under Kyoto protocol is approved by the Interdepartmental Commission of the Russian Federation on implementation of Kyoto protocol. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade plans to use the scheme of the aimed ecological investments under trade of quotas for the greenhouse gases emissions. This scheme will consider also activity on biodiversity conservation. This activity is planned for 2008 – 2009. Recently the Fourth National Communication was prepared and submitted to the UN FCCC. It includes analysis of the situation on mitigation of climate change and mechanisms of adaptation to it.