Sergey Korotkov discussed the prospects for the transition to a "green" economy at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

June 10, 2021

Sergey Korotkov discussed the prospects for the transition to a

On June 2, on the sidelines of the SPIEF, Sergey Korotkov took part in a round table within the framework of the business program of the St. Petersburg International Environmental Forum on the topic „Issues of the transition to a green economy.“

The organizers of the round table are the Committee for Nature Management, Environmental Protection and Environmental Safety of St. Petersburg and ANO „Ravnopravie“.

Among the participants were:

  • Aleksey Mayorov, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management;
  • Natalya Sokolova, head of the section „Ecology and environmental protection“ of the expert council under the profile Committee of the Federation Council, chairman of the board of ANO „Ravnopravie“;
  • Denis Belyaev, Chairman of the Committee for Nature Management
  • Maxim Lapin, Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Management Board of the Moscow Exchange;
  • Dmitry Aksakov, Vice President of VEB.RF Corporation;
  • Denis Shulakov, First Vice President of Gazprombank;
  • Vadim Kulikov, Head of the Project Group of the International Fund for Technological Development of the International Bank for Economic Cooperation and others.

Alexey Mayorov, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management, in his speech drew attention to the implementation of the Ecology national project in the framework of achieving the national development goals of the Russian Federation. Thus, indicators for the regions have already been formed, as well as mechanisms for attracting funds to achieve them have been identified. In addition to budget financing, Mr. Mayorov noted the need to attract large investors and enterprises to regional environmental projects.

Experts agreed that green financing can solve a number of problems in the long term, including providing the region with a comfortable and safe environment through the inflow of additional financial resources, creating additional jobs, and strengthening measures to prevent man-made accidents.

Natalia Sokolova noted that at the moment in Russia there is practically no practice of attracting green finance to regional projects. To consolidate efforts in this direction, experts regularly gather at the negotiating table, and the result of this event within the framework of SPIEF-2021 will be a Public Resolution on Environmental Protection and Ecological Development of the Russian Federation. The resolution will combine the initiatives and proposals of the participants in environmental activities to improve legislation and state policy in the field of environmental protection. A public resolution is sent to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and specialized federal authorities.
Natalia also noted the prospects of using private investments with state participation — a concession agreement or a public-private partnership as an option to raise funds for environmental projects.

Sergey Korotkov spoke about the experience of the UNIDO Centre in the Russian Federation in the implementation and implementation of international “green” projects. An important current project of the Center — Environmentally sound regulation and final destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the enterprises of Russian Railways and other owners. This project aims to create mechanisms for the safe disposal of PCBs in the framework of Russia’s fulfillment of its obligations under the Stockholm Convention.

“The focus of UNIDO is new technologies and inclusive sustainable industrial development,” Korotkov said in his speech.

Dmitry Aksakov spoke about the fact that WEB.RF is developing a taxonomy of green finance in Russia. VEB.RF has almost ready a taxonomy of “green” financing in Russia; he noted “green” guarantees for VEB.RF loan products as one of the important instruments. More details…

“Only 4% of our economy in its composition corresponds to the principles of taxonomy,” said Denis Shulakov. The first vice-president of Gazprombank believes that it is necessary In his opinion, it is necessary to create a „league“ of green companies that will attract investors, as well as to change the mindset regarding „green“ financing using a scientific approach.

At the end of the meeting, Natalya Sokolova said that all proposals and ideas will be presented to the Federation Council in the framework of the meeting of the section „Ecology and Environmental Protection“ on June 25. The ecologist believes that constructive proposals can form the basis of legislative initiatives for the development of green financing for projects in the regions of Russia.