Putin says Russia’s greenhouse gas emissions should be lower than EU’s

Putin says Russia’s greenhouse gas emissions should be lower than EU’s

MOSCOW- President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he wanted Russia's total net greenhouse gas emissions to be less than the European Union's over the next 30 years, a goal he described as tough but doable.The leader of the vast hydrocarbon-rich nation that is the world's fourth largest greenhouse gas emitter is set to deliver a speech at an online climate change summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday."Over the next 30 years, accumulated net greenhouse gas emissions in Russia must be lower than in the European Union," Putin told top officials and lawmakers at his annual state-of-the-nation speech."This is a difficult task, given the size of our country, its geography, climate and economic structure. However, I am absolutely certain that this goal, given our scientific and technological potential, is achievable."The European Union, a trade bloc of 27 nations, has committed to cutting emissions by more than most major emitters.Russia's economy is heavily reliant on exports of oil, gas and mineral resources, and the push to combat climate change poses serious challenges for the Kremlin.Putin has said Russia is warming at 2.5 times the world average and that it would be a disaster if the permafrost melts in its