REPORT SHOWS GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROLS HELP RUSSIAN ECONOMIC GROWTH

(19 April, 2004 - - Washington)  On the eve of crucial April 22 climate treaty talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and European Union President Romano Prodi, Environmental Defense today released a new report effectively dismissing the claims of climate change skeptics in Russia and the United States.  The Environmental Defense report demonstrates that reducing greenhouse gas pollution in Russia supports President Putin’s goal of improving the efficiency of Russia’s economy, while protecting the health of Russia’s economy, its people and ecosystems.

“The climate change skeptics are sounding more out of touch every day,” said Environmental Defense international counsel Annie Petsonk.  “It’s clear that participation in the Kyoto Protocol will bring strong environmental and economic benefits to Russia, while the costs of inaction are continually growing higher.”

The new Environmental Defense report, “The Dangers of Climate Change and the Benefits for the Russian Federation of Participating in the Kyoto Protocol”  (www.environmentaldefense.org/go/kyoto), summarizes the overwhelming economic consensus that action on the climate problem will be advantageous for Russia and the scientific consensus finding that climate change is occurring and requires urgent action to avert dangerous global warming.  A key issue in the Putin-Prodi talks is whether, as the climate treaty’s chief Kremlin opponent Andrei Illarionov claims, the Kyoto Protocol will plunge Russia into poverty.

“Cleaning up greenhouse gas pollution can save tens of thousands of Russian lives and billions of rubles each year,” said Dr. Alexander Golub, Environmental Defense senior economist.

“If Russia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol, the difference between Russia’s allowable and its expected emissions will be a new resource that can leverage large investment in cleaner and more efficient energy in Russia,” said Environmental Defense Climate and Air Program director Peter Goldmark.