Russian President Vladimir Putin will not go to Glasgow for COP26, the world climate conference, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday October 20 while assuring that the climate issue remained a “
priority
” for Russia.
“
Unfortunately, Putin will not go to Glasgow either,
” said his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, while the day before he had announced that the Russian leader would not attend the G20 in Italy.
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"
The issue (of climate change) which is on the agenda in Glasgow is nevertheless one of the greatest priorities of our foreign policy,
" said Dmitri Peskov, adding that Russia would be represented at COP26 without providing further details.
Vladimir Putin announced in mid-October that Russia, one of the world's biggest polluters, is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060.
Russia heavily affected by natural disasters
The daily
Kommersant
revealed in early October that the Russian government was preparing a new environmental strategy with stronger measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the plan, Moscow would aim to reduce its emissions by almost 80% by 2050, including phasing out coal as a source of electricity in favor of more nuclear power, among others.
Environmental issues did not appear until late in official speeches in Russia, one of the main producers of hydrocarbons in the world.
Vladimir Putin has long minimized the role of humans in climate change, but he has recently shown himself to be more committed to the subject, in particular due to the increase in natural disasters - like record fires - in his country.
