With COP29 now underway in Baku, Ukrainian climate and energy advocacy group Razom We Stand has released a new report calling for stronger, targeted sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sector to advance global climate goals and disrupt the funding of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The report, titled Bridging the Gap Between Peace and Climate Action: An Assessment of the Potential Climate Impact of Sanctions on Russian Oil & Gas Exports, highlights that effective sanctions on Russian fossil fuels would both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strike at the economic core that sustains Russia’s military operations.
This research underlines the climate and security risks posed by Russia’s energy sector, which generates nearly 78% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contributes almost half of the federal revenue. By cutting into Russia’s oil and gas exports, the report argues, sanctions could lead to a 25% reduction in Russia’s upstream GHG emissions by 2030 and curb emissions by as much as 300 million tons of CO₂ annually if renewable energy sources replace Russian energy across Europe and Asia.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said: “Russia’s fossil fuel sector doesn’t just power its economy; it fuels its war machine. Our report shows that maintaining and strengthening sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas exports could bring annual reductions in GHG emissions up to 300 million tons of CO₂ per year by 2030 and could be essential for urgently needed climate action. This is an opportunity for the global community to make a stand: stronger sanctions on Russian oil and gas would directly weaken Russia’s capacity for violence and advance towards climate change mitigation goals. We can’t afford to let Russian fossil fuels bankroll both global warming and a brutal war in Ukraine.”
Key findings from the report include:
- The Dual Impact of Russian Fossil Fuel Sanctions: Russia’s energy sector accounts for the majority of its GHG emissions and nearly half of its federal revenue. Targeting these exports would significantly cut emissions while reducing the resources funding Russia’s military activities.
- Resilience and Expansion in Russian Fossil Fuels: Despite existing sanctions, Russia has maintained its fossil fuel exports through Arctic drilling facilities, an extensive pipeline network, and growth in Asian markets. However, this expansion comes with severe climate consequences, as liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects like Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 contribute heavily to methane leaks and flaring, which exacerbate global warming.
- Scenario Modeling for Russian Exports: The report models three potential futures for Russian fossil fuel exports: a high-export scenario under the current government strategy, a baseline business-as-usual case, and a “realistic” scenario with strengthened sanctions. In the third scenario, projected emissions reductions are substantial, with 300 million tons of CO₂ annually offset if Russia’s supply is replaced by renewables.
The new report also emphasizes the challenges of tracking Russia’s emissions due to opaque data and limited environmental oversight, particularly as Russia ramps up gas exports to China. It underscores the need for an international system to transparently monitor emissions, establish supply chain reporting standards and reduce the environmental impact of Russian energy exports.
ENDS
You can view the full report here
Razom We Stand is a campaign group that focuses on ending fossil fuel conflicts and climate chaos and driving a clean energy revolution in Ukraine and the world.
Svitlana Romanko has appeared in top-tier international press, including Bloomberg, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, The Hill, Politico, Financial Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Le Monde and more.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Paraic Walker
International Communications Specialist
Razom We Stand
[email protected]
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