OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2010. The President noted at the meeting that Russia remains committed to its chosen strategy of reducing hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere despite the unclear prospects for an international agreement on climate change.

Mr Medvedev stressed that although there is no common forecast and precise scenario for climate change, Russia needs to be ready for any development in events. The President noted the importance of establishing new financial and institutional mechanisms and incentives for companies to modernise their technology, and also singled out the need to pay attention to regions with severe climatic conditions, in particular the Arctic areas, which are absolutely crucial for studying the causes and consequences of climate change.

President Medvedev also said it is important to maintain involvement in the international negotiation process and help obtain the drafting of a global climate agreement that is in Russia’s sustainable development interests.

Mr Medvedev set the Government deadlines for submitting a package of measures to implement the Climate Doctrine approved at the end of 2009, proposing steps for the development of the Arktika multipurpose space system for climate change monitoring, drafting a single plan for scientific research in this area, and adopting a strategy in meteorology and related fields through to 2030.