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Russian industry responses to climate change: the case of the metals and mining sector

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  • Ellie Martus

Abstract

Globally, the metals and mining sector is a major contributor to GHG emissions. Climate change also poses significant challenges for the industry in a number of ways, including risks to infrastructure and equipment, transport routes and the cost of energy supplies. The sector is of particular importance to Russia, and yet very little is known about how the sector positions itself in relation to this key issue. This article conducts an in-depth look at the response of the Russian metals and mining sector to climate change. It looks at the key actors, their willingness to engage with the issue of climate change, preferred policy options and the strategies adopted to further their interests. The role of companies, prominent individuals and business associations is considered. The evidence suggests that, although there is widespread acceptance of climate change as a phenomenon, there is significant variation within the sector, with some companies proactive on climate policy, and others more reluctant. Different responses are attributed to reputational factors and the disproportionate influence of international and domestic policy developments on companies. Russian coal companies, directly threatened by any international attempts to reduce coal consumption, display the strongest opposition to efforts aimed at curbing emissions. The Russian government, far from thinking of transitioning to a low carbon future, is vigorously trying to expand the coal industry.Key policy insights Understanding how Russia’s domestic position on climate policy is formed is fundamental for understanding the factors driving its international engagement on climate policy.The Russian government has no plans to phase out coal and is instead actively seeking to expand the coal industry. This highlights the obstacles to Russia’s commitment to climate policy at both the domestic and international levels.The socio-economic consequences of climate policy for the Russian coal industry are a key consideration for the government, with some regions heavily dependent on the industry for employment and electricity generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellie Martus, 2019. "Russian industry responses to climate change: the case of the metals and mining sector," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 17-29, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:tcpoxx:v:19:y:2019:i:1:p:17-29
    DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2018.1448254
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rafaty, R. & Dolphin, G. & Pretis, F., 2020. "Carbon pricing and the elasticity of CO2 emissions," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 20116, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    2. Boute, Anatole & Zhikharev, Alexey, 2019. "Vested interests as driver of the clean energy transition: Evidence from Russia's solar energy policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    3. Ellie Martus & Stephen Fortescue, 2022. "Russian coal in a changing climate: risks and opportunities for industry and government," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 173(3), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Railh Gugus Tresor Massonini Ngoma & Cety Gessica Abraham Mahanga Tsoni & Xiangrui Meng & Sumaiya Bashiru Danwana, 2023. "The Impact of the Mining Equipment, Technological Trends, and Natural Resource Demand on Climate Change in Congo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-28, January.
    5. Cooley Asya, 2023. "The Role of the Nonprofit Sector within the Climate Change Discourse: The View Through Russian News Media," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, January.

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