Moscow: In a joint statement addressing the climate challenge, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Russian Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues and Adviser to the President of Russia, today said both countries intend to work together bilaterally on a range of climate-related issues.
The topics, they said, include, among others, satellite monitoring of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases; forests and agriculture; climate and the Arctic, including black carbon; reducing emissions from non-CO2 gases, including methane; enhanced nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies under the Paris Agreement; energy efficiency; climate finance; nature-based solutions; and implementation of joint climate projects.
Kerry and Edelgeriyev recognized the need to address the increasing climate challenge with seriousness and urgency. Both together said they were committed to the robust implementation of the Paris Agreement and its temperature goals, including through significant efforts in this decade and the global pursuit of net-zero emissions, recognizing the importance of enhancing carbon sequestration by forests and other ecosystems.
“They will work together and with others to actively promote a successful COP 26 in Glasgow, UK, and a G20 that contributes to such success. In addition, they will cooperate on climate-related issues in the Arctic,” according to the joint statement.
Earlier on July 14, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephonic conversation with Kerry, who is in Moscow on a working visit. He updated the Russian President on his meetings with his Russian colleagues during which they discussed various aspects of the international climate agenda.
Putin had pointed out in course of their conversation that Russia had set a high value on the attainment of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and advocated a depoliticised and professional dialogue in this sphere. In this context, both discussed the preparations for the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is scheduled to take place in Glasgow on October 31 – November 12, 2021, with due regard for national decarbonisation priorities.
They also exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation on environmental protection in the Arctic in the context of the Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
Overall, it was agreed that climate change is one of the areas where Russia and the United States have common interests and similar approaches.
Meanwhile in London, Alok Sharma, the COP President Designate, today issued an open letter highlighting the four goals for COP26, lagely based on the Paris Agreement – To keep 1.5 degrees within reach and to put the planet on a path to driving down emissions with mid-century net zero commitments and ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets, protect people and nature from the impacts of climate change, get finance flowing to climate action and work together to ensure the negotiations are a success.
– global bihari bureau
