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Medvedev orders measures against cross-border pollution

Dmitri Medvedev orders measures against pollution.

Visiting Oslo in late April, the Russian President discussed the need to reduce harmful emission from the nickel-industry on the Kola Peninsula. Yesterday Medvedev followed up by including cross-border pollution into his environmental instructions.

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Last month, the Russian President criticized Putin’s government for low profile in environmental issues. Yesterday, Medvedev ordered a full overhaul of Russia’s environmental regulations. The presidential instruction to Putin’s Government says a federal target program should be developed together with the regional authorities in order to develop methods to protect the environment.

The instructions concern renewable energy sources, state support for innovation projects that can reduce emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases, improving regulations on the use, protection and conservation of forests, the establishment of federal and regional environmental funds, and promotion of environmental education and awareness.

Russia should introduce compulsory environmental classes in schools, according to the statement from the President, posted on Kremlin’s official web portal.

The environmental protection reform says cross-border pollution should be reduced.

Cross-border pollution of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and heavy metals from Russia’s smelter in the border town of Nikel was bought up on the agenda by Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg when Dmitri Medvedev was on his first official state visit to Norway in April.

In Oslo, the Russian President gave signals that the authorities will contribute with necessary effort to reduce the pollution from the nickel-production in Nikel.

Read alsoNorilsk-Nikel backs out from eco-deal

On the world’s environmental day on June 5th, Medvedev wrote on his blog about communication with environmental groups and organizations. The President wrote: “Caring for nature starts with the individual. If people take pride in and care for their own homes and surroundings they will demand that the authorities show this same care and attention, and will not let themselves be forced into a dead end. If need be, they will raise their voices in protest.”

Bellona is an environmental group that over the last 20 years has followed the environmental situation in the Barents Region. Based in both Oslo and Murmansk, the group is not convinced the latest environmental initiative by Medvedev will make any difference. Bellona’s Igor Koudrik says: “Medvedev is trying to rebuild environmental practices which were effectively ruined by the previous President Vladimir Putin. The downside is that the Russian President has no mechanisms to implement his initiatives.”

Bellona has observed that environmental projects, such as renewable energy projects, are widely ignored by the Russian authorities, specifically in the Russian northwest,” says Igor Koudrik to BarentsObserver.com.