Ecological well-being
7.1
COOPERATION OF GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND SOCIETY FOR SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
THE HIGH-PROFILE ENVIRONMENTAL ACCIDENTS AND NATURAL DISASTERS THAT OCCURRED IN 2020−2021 DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSOLIDATING SOCIETY, BUSINESS, AND THE STATE IN ADDRESSING COMMON ISSUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION, MONITORING ACTIVITIES, AND PROMPTLY ELIMINATING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS.
Over recent years, civil society’s demand for protection and improvement of our country’s environmental potential has increased significantly. Through active cooperation with nongovernmental organizations, expert and business communities, the state has established the necessary mechanisms for public participation in addressing environmental issues.
The priority and high importance of ecological well-being was highlighted by the adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which compel the Government of Russia to ensure all necessary measures to preserve the natural wealth and biodiversity of the country, to reduce the negative impact on the environment.137 For the first time the responsibility attitude towards animals was enshrined in the Basic Law fixed, as well as topics of environmental education and education of ecological culture of citizens.
Government efforts must be supported by business interest in preserving the national environmental potential and expanding opportunities for community participation in decision-making in the field of environmental protection and preservation for future generations.
Limiting greenhouse gas emissions and the climate warming associated with those emissions has become an important focus of the national 2021 environmental agenda.
By ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2019 that requires countries to make every effort to keep global average temperatures within 1.5−2°C, Russia has made a number of commitments, all of which have been met this year.138 The Federal Scientific and Technical Program 2021−2030 in the field of environmental development of the Russian Federation and climate change was developed to achieve these goals.139Also Federal Law No. 296-FZ “On Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions” was passed in July 2021.140
The climate agenda is extremely relevant to Russia, primarily because the growth of annual average air temperature in the country, which is 0.51 °C from 1976 to 2020, has led to a decrease in the Arctic sea ice cover by 5−7 times. 141 .
In his address to the Federal Assembly, the President of Russia noted that maximum permissible norms would be established for emissions of harmful substances in all regions of the country where air quality is a problem. The need to adapt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure to the observed climate change was also emphasized. 142
Given the global significance of the problems of climate change and the need for carbon regulation, as well as the high role of this environmental agenda in Russia, the Civic Chamber in May 2021 organized a session to discuss the draft federal law “On Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions”. The event canvassed the need to identify tools for a national monitoring system, the creation of a common system for transcarbon regulation, acceptable to all countries. The event offered indicators for the development of corporate strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 143The Civic Chamber sent its proposals and amendments to the draft law to the State Duma.
Experts emphasize that the key role in ensuring carbon neutrality today belongs primarily to business, its efficient operation and the implementation of statutory regulations.144
The Civic Chamber notes that another effective decarbonization tool can be the modernization of transport infrastructure and the transition to electric transport.
In June 2021, the Civic Chamber held a round table dedicated to the future of electric transport. The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has presented a Comprehensive Concept for the Development of Production and Use of Electric Transport in Russia for the period up to 2030, including the development of technical peripherals for its maintenance, which was approved by the Russian Government in August 2021.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION
CONCEPT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION AND USE OF ELECTRIC CARS
UNTIL 2030
RUBLES
It was stressed that the transition to electric vehicles will solve the problem of exhaust gases in large Russian cities, and the Civic Chamber canvassed with representatives of public authorities and business the creation of an effective system for recycling batteries and uninterruptible power supplies for electric vehicles.145
Own production of electric vehicles in our country becomes the most important task. Today Russia hosts several pilot projects for the development of electric transport in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Sochi, Kaliningrad, Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod.146
In 2021, the Civic Chamber paid great attention to the development of specially protected natural territories, which are a traditional and effective form of environmental protection. In total, about 25% of the land area in Russia is now under protection of environmental laws.147
Within the VI Eastern Economic Forum discussion panel, dedicated to the development of specially protected areas, the Civic Chamber noted that the possibility of broad public participation in the development of these territories is important for environmental education of citizens and promotion of ecological tourism, which allows preserving the unique nature of our country
Experts of the Civic Chamber believe that the state needs to create additional opportunities for business participation in the development of these protected areas, so that they will not be perceived as an obstacle to economic activity.148
The priority of biodiversity preservation in Russia was emphasized by the Head of State during the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Vladimir Putin noted that the comprehensive strategy of sustainable development in Russia is aimed, among other things, at strengthening the system of specially protected territories of Russia. By 2024, it is planned to create at least 23 new specially protected natural territories.149
SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS IN RUSSIA
OF THE LAND AREA IN RUSSIA IS UNDER PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
NATURE RESERVES
NATIONAL PARKS
NATURE PRESRVES
The Civic Chamber believes that the establishment of new nature protection areas is moving the country towards the UN goal of “30 by 2030”, whereby 30% of the Earth’s surface should receive a protected status by 2030.150The emergence of new protected areas will have the expected effect only if there is an active dialog with the population, development and promotion of eco-education programs. If these conditions are combined, such areas will become a driver of regional development through the creation of new jobs for local residents and the development of tourism.
To consolidate efforts and assist in ensuring the environmental well-being of the population, the Civic Chamber Coordination Council on Environmental Wellbeing was established in 2021, bringing together environmental activists, environmental experts, representatives of the authorities and leading public associations.
The key activities of the Coordination Council were the promotion of environmental rights of citizens, the development of environmental volunteerism, education, awareness,151and the protection of environmental activists from pressure of business and government.152
In addition, one of the key themes of the work is specially protected natural areas. The Council opposed the draft Federal Law No. 1152655−7 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On Specially Protected Natural Areas'”, concerning the withdrawal of lands of protected areas. Public experts believe that the adoption of this draft law could lead to the threat of destruction of specially protected areas due to mining, logging, or housing development. In this connection, representatives of the Council sent a letter to the State Duma with a request to reject this draft law.
The Coordination Council also sent to the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation a response to the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 60 of the Federal Law ‘On Environmental Protection'”. The proposed amendments do not address the specifics of the object of regulation and contradict the fundamental principles of environmental protection, as well as a number of environmental laws and regulations.153
7.2
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR SHAPING ENVIRONMENTAL CULTURE IN RUSSIAN SOCIETY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA IS GROWING IN IMPORTANCE DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
Assessing the global ecological situation at the end of 2020, 54% citizens said that it had rather deteriorated over the past two years, 53% - said that it had deteriorated in Russia as well.154In September 2021, more than half of Russians (58%) said that they or their family members had done something about environmental issues in the past year. 155.
Opinion polls show that a significant number of our country’s citizens are ready to change and are already changing their consumption habits. More than half of Russians in 2021 take environmental friendliness into account when buying products and are willing to buy more expensive products if they are safer for the environment.156
This attitude of the citizens of our country shows that an environmental outlook and culture is gradually forming in society, and that in order to strengthen and improve it, an effective system of environmental education in the country needs to be developed today.
The need for a program of environmental education was highlighted by the President of Russia in July 2020 during a meeting with representatives of environmental and animal welfare NGOs. The event resulted in the President instructing the Russian Ministry of Education to prepare proposals for improving environmental education as part of the implementation of basic and supplementary curricula.157
Taking note of the President’s initiative, the Civic Chamber presented its recommendations to the Ministry of Education for the promotion of environmental education and enlightenment.
Among the proposals made by the public experts were the inclusion of climate change and adaptation to these changes in the federal education standard; compulsory study of the ecology as a subject in high school; the involvement of specialists from specially protected natural areas, scientists, teachers, ecologists and practitioners in the teacher training system in the field of ecology; and the study of foreign experience in ecological education.
Following an extended meeting of the Presidium of the State Council in late October 2020, the President158instructed that proposals for the development of a federal project on “Scientific Support of Environmental Activities, Environmental Education and Enlightenment”, which provides for educational programs aimed at fostering an environmentally friendly attitude, reducing waste generation and ensuring rational water use.159
IS THE DAMAGE TO RUSSIA’S ENVIRONMENT IN 2021 (ACCORDING TO ROSPRIRODNADZOR)
Given the relevance and federal scale of the project, the Civic Chamber in 2021 engaged in expert and public discussion of the project, where stressed160 the importance of involving the Ministry of Culture of Russia and including new areas and topics in the project, among them:161 new educational programs and positive global practices aimed at reducing waste generation, rational water use and environmental friendliness among the population.
A significant and expected outcome of the new federal project should be the introduction of environmental responsibility and green standards for business.
Recommendations on adjustments to the current National Ecology Project and on necessary additions to the federal project “Scientific Support of Environmental Activities, Environmental Education and Enlightenment” under development have been sent to the Russian Government.
The Civic Chamber underscores that environmental education and enlightenment is a stumbling block in the development of all sectors, departments and the country as a whole; the implementation of this federal project is a strategic goal for Russia162.
7.3
PRESERVING NATURE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
AT A TIME WHEN RUSSIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA IS ACTIVELY DEVELOPING AND GAINING MOMENTUM, SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CITIZENS ARE PRIMARILY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THEY FACE ON THEIR OWN TERRITORIES — POLLUTION OF WATER BY INDUSTRIAL AND SEWAGE RUN-OFF, ILLEGAL LOGGING AND UNAUTHORIZED LANDFILLS163.
The events of recent years have shown that the systematic violation of environmental safety standards by large companies and industrial companies has often led to environmental protests and public demonstrations. In August 2021, environmental activists called for an environmental referendum in eight regions of the country. The reason is the construction of environmentally hazardous facilities, incinerators, new roads, the creation of a gas and chemical complex.164.
It should be noted that many industrial companies are nowadays committed to greening their operations. Companies invest in new environmental technologies that minimize environmental damage and reduce emissions.
Environmental improvements in enterprises are also assisted by the state through the implementation of various projects and programs,165 including the “Environmental Protection” state program, and the “Ecology” national project and a number of others.
Given the importance of preserving a favorable environment for Russian citizens, the Civic Chamber has been active in monitoring and public oversight of remedying the damage caused by a number of industrial enterprises in the country.
In September 2020, the Civic Chamber established the Environmental Council of the Irkutsk Region in order to prevent environmental disasters and protect Lake Baikal.166The Environmental Council, which consists of residents of the region, focuses on public oversight over the elimination of accumulated environmental damage at the industrial site of Usoliekhimprom in Usolye-Sibirskoye, the situation in the Baikal National Park, and work to reduce emissions of harmful. substances into the atmosphere in Bratsk, as well as other environmental issues that are important for the region.
The most important area of the Council’s work is public monitoring of the progress in eliminating accumulated environmental damage from the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM), whose phased closure was approved by the Russian government in 2013. In April 2021, a participatory working group was set up to address this problem.167.
The Civic Chamber noted the need to ensure that the opinion of citizens living in the Baikal Natural Area is taken into account when making management decisions to implement the provisions of the Russian Federation legislation on the protection of Lake Baikal.1168.
Particularly important for our country is the Arctic, which is an area of exceptional economic importance. Gradual human development of the Arctic is leading to increasing environmental threats in this important region for the global ecological balance. The Civic Chamber notes that public oversight and the attention of environmentalists to the area are seen as a safeguard against the global problems and irreparable mistakes associated with the development of the region.
In 2021, the Russian Federation assumed the responsible role of chairing the Arctic Council for the period 2021−2023, a key objective of the Council’s work is to maintain the Arctic as a region of peace and cooperation.
A separate contribution to environmental preservation and care for the environment in the Arctic is being made by the Clean Arctic project, the presentation of its ambitious program and the opening of a foundation of the same name took place in the Civic Chamber on July 5, 2021. A publiccivic initiative for a “general clean-up” of the Arctic is supported. The project brought together the public, the scientific community, government, and business representatives. The program monitors the state of the Arctic and helps to assess the extent of pollution in order to remedy ecological damage.
“CLEAN ARCTIC” PROJECT*
*Data by December 2021.
THE INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT “CLEAN ARCTIC”
INCLUDING THOSE SENT BY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS
CLEARED
OF CLEARING
Civil society’s attention to the environmental agenda in 2021 is concentrated around events and challenges that are shaped not only by the national interest of our country, but also by global trends.
The Civic Chamber regularly monitors citizens' environmental rights, promoting a constructive relationship between government, business and society based on transparency, non-conflict and multistakeholder dialog to preserve nature for future generations.