Russian Activists Sue Government Over Ineffective Climate Policies

The Russian constitutional court is now reviewing this claim. Previously, the activists sought intervention from the Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case. This shift to the constitutional court, known for addressing high-profile environmental cases such as the Chornobyl disaster, marks a critical move in the activists’ strategy.

Vladimir Slivyak from Ecodefense emphasizes the lawsuit’s core argument: “Russia’s current climate policy is too weak to protect us from catastrophic climate change consequences.” One of the notable claimants, Arshak Makichyan, who now resides in Germany, underscores the contradiction between Russia’s climate policy and its constitution.

Russia is a major global greenhouse gas emitter with a target to achieve net zero by 2060. However, Climate Action Tracker (CAT) deems its efforts “critically insufficient.” The country’s climate strategy heavily depends on its vast forests to absorb twice as much carbon as they currently do, a claim CAT finds unsubstantiated. Moreover, Russia’s climate plans fail to address the significant wildfires in Siberia that have exacerbated the issue.

The lawsuit also targets Russia’s status as the leading source of methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction, pointing out the lack of targets for reducing methane leaks from its gas infrastructure. Methane, a potent climate pollutant, has been underrepresented in legal actions until now, but experts anticipate more litigation in this area.

Russia faces severe climate impacts, with average temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. The lawsuit documents how claimants from large cities experience heatwaves and severe air Pollution due to forest fires. Additionally, Indigenous communities like the Sámi face existential threats from changing hunting and fishing patterns, crucial to their way of life.

Despite skepticism about the lawsuit’s success, Makichyan views it as a vital tool to raise awareness about Russia’s inadequate climate policies. While Russia no longer recognizes the European Court of Human Rights jurisdiction, the activists hope international scrutiny will pressure the Russian government to adopt more effective climate measures.

As climate crises intensify, this lawsuit represents a critical effort to hold Russia accountable for its environmental impact and protect its citizens’ rights.

There’s Only One Green Planet Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

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