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Russia’s Climate Neutrality?
Ecology and climate change are two global imperatives for societal development. Drawing on the theory of international regimes, we can state the existence of an international climate regime, which is a system of intergovernmental institutions to combat climate change with the UN as the lead agency, in which participants form a common position, and their actions become constrained by established norms and rules. At the global level, we see an established system of governance under the UN umbrella, as well as the existence of a “green consensus” that a rise in the Earth’s average temperature is a threat to the life of humankind. This global consensus is expressed through national practices and approaches. This chapter focuses on the international climate change regime and Russia’s position on the implementation of its principles, including the commonality of the principles with the EU. It shows that while there are common environmental values, theirimplementation at the national level varies. The Russian approach implies adaptation to the effects of climate change and the search for tools to reduce emissions, not by reducing absolute emissions but by increasing absorption capacity. The European Union, on the other hand,has launched a “green adjustment” and opted for a decarbonization paradigm. Such paradigmatically divergent approaches at the meso levels are eroding global environmental governance, and the fragmentation of global environmental governance is increasing. Ultimately, this is creating new dividing lines, including at the political ideological level. In the medium term, this will contribute to increase tensions in international relations and world politics.