Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 05/2009

Russia And The Post-2012 Climate Regime: Foreign Rather Than Environmental Policy

Anna Korppoo

November 2008

Finnish Institute for International Affairs

Abstract

According to the most recent government position, Russia is reluctant to accept binding greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments under the post-2012 regime that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Russia joined the Kyoto Protocol in anticipation of gains and made further demands in return for its ratification. The Kyoto Protocol was never seen as an environmental pact in Russia, but rather as a means of gaining economic and political benefits.