Presidential Resolution No. 861-rp validating Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation.

Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation represents a system of views on the purpose, principles, content, and ways of implementing a unified state policy of the Russian Federation within the country and in the international arena on issues related to climate change and its consequences. Considering the strategic guidelines of the Russian Federation, the present doctrine is the basis for the formation and implementation of climate policy.
This Doctrine is based on fundamental and applied scientific knowledge in the field of climate and related areas, including: (a) assessment of the past and current state of the climatic system; (b) assessment of factors of anthropogenic activity influence on climate; (c) forecasting possible climate changes and their impact on the quality of life of the population of the Russian Federation and other regions of the Earth; (d) assessment of protection and vulnerability of ecological systems, economy, population, government institutions and infrastructure of the state in relation to climate change and the existing possibilities for adaptation to climate change; and (e) assessment of the opportunities for mitigating anthropogenic impacts on climate.
This Doctrine as a policy document recognizes that the challenges posed by climate change, in particular ensuring a balancing economic efficiency and social justice, elimination of potential conflicts of interest in potential conflicts of interest due to extreme manifestations of climate change (heat waves, floods, and droughts) cannot be solved by scientific methods alone. In such situations, the search for balance is a matter of political choice.
The strategic goal of climate policy is to ensure safe and sustainable development of the Russian Federation, including institutional, economic, environmental, social and demographic aspects of development under the conditions of climate change and relevant risks.
The basic principles of climate policy shall be as follows: (a) global nature of the interests of the Russian Federation with respect to climate change and its consequences; (b) priority of national interests in the development and implementation of priority of national interests in development and implementation of climate policy; (c) clarity and informational openness of climate policy; (d) acknowledgement of the need for action both within the country and in the framework of a full-fledged international partnership of the Russian Federation related to climate change; and (e) comprehensiveness of consideration of possible losses and benefits related to climate change; (f) precaution in planning and implementation of measures to ensure protection of people, economy and state from adverse consequences of climate change.
Expected climate change is the cause of threats to security of the Russian Federation. Under these conditions, it is important independence in assessments and conclusions obtained on the basis of complete, objective and reliable information about current and possible future climate changes, its consequences for the Russian Federation and other countries, and mitigation of the negative consequences of these changes.
Considering the above-mentioned, a prerequisite for climate policy shall be support and ensuring compliance with world standards: (a) systematic climate observations; (b) fundamental and applied research in the field of climate and related sciences; (c) application of research results to assess risks and benefits related to the consequences of climate change, as well as the possibility of adaptation to these effects.
The main objectives of climate policy are: (a) strengthening and developing the information and scientific basis of climate policy including scientific-technical and technological potential of the Russian Federation ensuring maximum completeness and reliability of information on the state of climate system, climate impacts, climate changes and their consequences; (b) development and implementation of operational and long-term measures for adaptation to climate change; (c) development and implementation of operational and long-term measures for climate change mitigation; and (d) participation in initiatives of the international community to address climate change and related issues.
The main directions of climate policy are: (a) development of legal and regulatory framework and organization of state regulation in the field of climate change; (b) development of economic mechanisms related to the implementation of measures for adaptation and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts on climate; (c) scientific, informational and staff support for development and implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures related to climate change; and international cooperation in developing and implementing measures for adaptation and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts on climate.