Russian energy development must be linked with climate change - president
GORKI. Dec 14 (Interfax) - Russia must be aware of climate change in the development of its energy sector, President Dmitry Medvedev said at an energy conference on Monday.
"In the opinion of experts, Russia produces about 10% of the world's energy. Our energy sector not only supplies us with benefits but also causes pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Thus we must be aware of climate change in the development of the national energy sector," he said.
"Russia is taking a very active part in the drafting of a new climate agreement which will be enacted with the end of the Kyoto Protocol after 2012," he said.
"We must bear in mind national interests and economic targets but we also must realize the responsibility we share with other large emitters [of greenhouse gases]," he said.
Medvedev said he would discuss the issue at the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference later in the week.