PM instructs Novak to coordinate climate policy issues

MOSCOW. Aug 12 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has approved changes in the distribution of responsibilities among deputy prime ministers who coordinate the work of federal government agencies on the implementation of national federal projects and on issues of government policy.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will now be completely responsible for coordinating issues of government climate policy, including issues in the area of greenhouse gas emission restrictions, which were previously handled by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, according to a statement posted on the government's website on Saturday.

Patrushev, meanwhile, will take full control over the implementation of the Ecology national project, as he will now coordinate the work of ministries and agencies on the Clean Water and Volga Rehabilitation federal projects, which was previously coordinated by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

"The decision was made to organize efficient work by the new Cabinet of Ministers on the fulfilment of the president's instructions and achievement of national development goals," the statement said.