Russia is finally engaging with the global effort to fight climate change after years of denial. That’s an important step from one of the world’s largest fossil-fuel producers, but the Kremlin’s green conversion may complicate negotiations at next week’s COP26 summit and beyond.
Officials from President Vladimir Putin down say they’re seeking changes to what they describe as radical climate dogma that would unlock real-world cuts to harmful greenhouse gases, while avoiding energy supply crises of the kind currently shaking natural gas markets.
However sincere Russia’s engagement turns out to be, some of its initiatives are stirring unease over a lack of detail. Others, such as exempting green investments from economic sanctions and swiftly opening the politically controversial Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, risk dragging wider geopolitical disputes into climate negotiations.