The Adaptation Game — Russia and Climate Change

Russia is an outlier in the international consensus on climate change.

On the one hand, it formally recognizes that global warming poses a threat to the planet and to Russia in particular. On the other hand, there is no sign of any serious commitment to reduce carbon emissions or develop renewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels remain at the heart of the Kremlin’s vision of Russia as a global economic actor and great power.
Events are intruding to disturb official complacency — the thawing of the permafrost, more frequent extreme weather events, heightened public consciousness, and moves toward decarbonization in Europe and Asia. Nevertheless, the Russian government continues to hold the line. Its climate “adaptation policy” is largely intended for show, and denies the need for substantive change or hard choices.
Russia’s transition to a post-carbon economy seems improbable today. However, it should not be discounted entirely. Faced with the threat of being left behind by the 21st century energy revolution, decision-makers may eventually be forced to recognize that Russian climate policy is unsustainable — environmentally, economically and, above all, strategically. If and when change comes, it is unlikely to be smooth or coherent.
Bobo Lo is an Associate Research Fellow with the Russia/NIS Center at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri).
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The Adaptation Game — Russia and Climate Change
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesWar as Social Elevator: The Socioeconomic Impact of Russian Military Keynesianism
In order to finance its war effort, the Russian state has spent substantial sums of money and implemented a form of “military Keynesianism” that is transforming society at both the socioeconomic and cultural levels. This has partially rebalanced the wide disparities in wealth, levels of consumption, and social prestige in Russian society by granting significant financial and symbolic advantages to peripheral Russia, which has long been overlooked by the central government.
The Contradictory Impacts of Western Sanctions on Economic Relations between Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa
How does Russia maintain economic ties with Africa despite Western sanctions? An analysis of investments, trade, and the circumvention strategies deployed by Moscow.
The Caspian Sea as an Emerging Energy Hub : Potentials and Limitations
This report analyzes the prospects of the Caspian Sea region — and its key actors except for Russia and Iran — becoming an important energy hub serving the needs of the European Union (EU).
The European Union's Strategic Test in Georgia
The political crisis brewing in Georgia is of an existential nature for the country. What is at stake is Georgia's future as a democratic and sovereign European nation (EU).