At COP29 in Baku, where nations gather to advance the global struggle against climate change, Russia has distinguished itself for all the wrong reasons. Today Climate Action Network nominated Russia for the Fossil of the Day Anti-Award, shedding light on its role in undermining the Paris Agreement goals and delaying the global phase-out of fossil fuels.
Fossil Fuel Promotion
Instead of embracing the transition to renewable energy, Russia has used COP29 to strike new fossil fuel deals. A bilateral meeting between Azerbaijan and Russia saw discussions on expanding oil and gas cooperation, casting a shadow over the summit’s purpose. At their pavilion, Russia openly promotes fossil fuels, referring to fossil gas as “the final fuel for humankind” and promoting nuclear energy as the “cleanest energy worldwide.”
Russia sent a record-breaking 900 delegates to COP29, doubling its delegation from COP28. This group prominently includes senior energy executives actively promoting fossil fuels during the conference. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin claimed that 85% of Russia’s energy is “clean,” yet this figure heavily relies on gas and nuclear power, which are far from sustainable solutions.
Empty Promises and Manipulated Metrics
Russia’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 — 20 years later than the UN Secretary-General’s target — lacks a realistic roadmap. Instead of taking real actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Russia manipulates its calculations. By introducing new coefficients for recalculating emissions, the country claims to have reduced its 2021 emissions from 1.7 billion tons of CO₂ to 0.8 billion tons — without implementing any actual reductions.
Expanding Coal Markets
While the world steadily works to phase out fossil fuels, Russia’s energy strategy does the opposite. The country plans to increase coal exports to 350 million tons by 2050 and is actively seeking new markets for its fossil fuel exports. These plans not only contradict clmate mitigation goals but also reinforce Russia’s dependence on polluting energy sources.
Profits Over Climate Action
Russia is historically the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter and has earned $787 billion from fossil fuel exports only during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, it has made no significant contributions to international climate finance. Even while allocating a record $140 billion for military expenses in 2025, Russia claims it lacks the resources to contribute to the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate financing.
War’s Environmental Devastation
Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine exacerbates the climate crisis. Over two years, greenhouse gas emissions from the conflict have surpassed the annual emissions of the Netherlands, reaching 175 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. The destruction caused by the invasion underscores the environmental toll of war, yet Russia continues to prioritize militarization over addressing its climate responsibilities.
Photo – Ecodiya
Suppression of Civil Society
Beyond its environmental transgressions, Russia actively oppresses civil society and environmental activism. It persecutes and imprisons activists who oppose its destructive policies, ensuring no obstacles stand in the way of its harmful agenda.
A Call for Accountability
By promoting fossil fuels, delaying carbon neutrality, manipulating emissions data, and obstructing international humanitarian efforts, Russia’s actions stand in stark contrast to the spirit of COP29. Addressing the climate crisis requires accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to global solidarity—values that Russia has consistently neglected.
