Nuclear energy will be included in Russia’s list of green priority activities. A discussion of the draft national Taxonomy of green projects prepared by VEB.RF took place on 18 March at the Ministry of Economic Development attended by representatives of VEB.RF, the Bank of Russia, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy and representatives of the banking and business community.
The document was developed along the lines of the European Union’s Taxonomy of Sustainable Financing, but takes into account the specifics of the Russian economy. The main goal of the document is to stimulate "green" activities and projects aimed at combating climate change and increasing the efficiency of resource use.
The head of the Ministry of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, said that compared with the practice of other countries, the list of areas in which "green" projects can be implemented has been expanded and a unique national classification has been developed.
The list of "green" activities includes nuclear power, the production of which does not produce direct CO₂ emissions, which puts it on a par with renewable sources of generation. Other "green" projects include projects of ecotourism, hydrogen and gas engine transport, forestry and agricultural projects, transport infrastructure projects, as well as projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“These areas are recognised as“ green ”in other countries of the world – in fact, we have adapted world standards to Russian reality. The decision will increase the level of confidence in the system on the part of foreign investors, where the mechanism of "green bonds" has already been developed and is in demand,” Reshetnikov emphasised.
During the discussion, Rosatom’s First Deputy General Director for Development and International Business, Kirill Komarov, stressed that the nuclear industry has the highest international safety standards, and said Rosatom adheres to the unconditional principle of not causing significant harm to the environment (Do no significant harm).
