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Greenhouse gas Emissions Regulation in Fossil Fuels Exporting Countries: Opportunities and Challenges for Russia
A carbon price is considered the most cost-efficient GHG emissions reduction tool often used as part of a mature climate policy. However, Russia as well as the other countries rich in fossil fuels tend to have weak incentives for proactive low-carbon policies including carbon pricing which may lead to falling revenues in emitting industries. Can the price on carbon be implemented as part of the development strategy in fossil fuel exporting countries, including post-Communist Russia? The paper focuses on the variety of existing approaches to applying the carbon price across various energy exporting economies. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, the paper contributes to the existing literature with the analysis of challenges and opportunities of carbon pricing in these countries and outlines key principles of a viable carbon pricing system in Russia. These principles are (a) balanced emissions coverage and support of the vulnerable industries and social groups, (b) fiscal neutrality, (c) gradualness of implementation and (d) the use of carbon offsets.