The Russian government has drafted a new decarbonisation strategy that sets a 2060 net-zero emissions target and provides for more aggressive measures to tackle emissions than previous versions of the document.
The European Union, Britain and Italy last week urged Russia to commit to reach net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and step up its plans to tackle climate change ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow that starts on Oct 31.
Under the new strategy - which is yet to be approved by the Cabinet - Russia will aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 79 per cent by 2050 in an "intensive" scenario that serves as its base case, according to the document seen by Reuters.
The plan includes shifting electric power generation from coal-based power plants to gas turbines, nuclear, hydroelectric and renewable power facilities.
The adoption of the proactive plan will slow the decline of Russia's oil and gas exports, according to the document, by including products with greater added value in the mix and making Russian hydrocarbons more competitive.
Under its terms, emissions will peak in 2030 and start declining afterwards.
Russia, which had long rejected the idea of a carbon tax, pivoted last month after the EU outlined plans to impose a carbon dioxide tariff on polluting goods from 2026.
