Topic: UN's Role in preparing for Global Climate Shift
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Victoria Spiegel
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Russia position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
The Russian Federation is well aware of the possible impacts of climate change. Increased occurrence of droughts, forest fires, and pollution could lead to significant economic losses and be detrimental to human health. Conversely, global warming could have a positive impact, with a decreased need for indoor heating, which would decrease energy consumption. As the 2009 Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation reflects, climate change adaptation is necessary to reduce the losses and take advantage of the benefits of current and future climate change. Under the Climate Doctrine, the Russian Federation aims to reduce the share of energy generated from natural gas. The country has taken preventative measures to reduce climate change- currently, emissions are about 37% below 1990 levels. The Russian Federation’s forests account for almost a quarter of the world’s forests. They are one of the world’s major carbon sinks, taking in million of tons of carbon a year.
The international climate change regime needs one comprehensive, integrated agreement that includes all countries, both developed and developing. China and the United States, neither of which are bound to reduce emissions, are responsible for 41% of global greenhouse gases. The current Kyoto Protocol, without the participation of key emitters, does not resolve the problems of climate change or address preparation for its effects. A plan including the rolling over of carbon credits, with 1990 as a baseline year, is needed to ensure climate change is kept under control.
One possible response to reduce the effects of climate change can be found in geoengineering. Russian scientists are developing geoengineering technologies that may be able to stabilize the climate. Geoengineering aims to reduce the Earth’s temperatures by a variety of methods. These include spraying sulphate aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and fertilizing the oceans with iron, creating carbon-capturing algal blooms. Modeling has shown geoengineering could be very effective at reducing the Earth's temperature. Geoengineering is a potential solution that cannot be ignored and could buy the world time to develop sources of clean energy.
In conclusion, Russia asks nations to recall that in the past, the voices of countries have been ignored during the debates over climate change. Countries have been gaveled down and not acknowledged. It is vital that the sovereign equality of all states is recognized. Objections should be honored and every opinion should be considered. An effective climate change response can be created only through the cooperative participation of all countries. The Russian Federation urges states around the world to listen to the voices of others and give equal weight each one.
