VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN

Point of View

10 april
2012
Environmental Protection 44

“The Russian Geographic Society’s wildlife conservation programme is also very important. The creation of a new nature reserve of federal importance, Pozarym, combining specially protected areas in Altai, Tuva, Khakassia and southern parts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, resulted from the Snow Leopard Programme. <…> I can’t help mentioning the volunteer campaign to clean up the banks of Siberia's largest river – the Yenisei – attended by over 1,000 people. In addition, members of the Russian Geographic Society suggested that local authorities make this campaign an annual event and establish the Day of the Yenisei. The initiative found fertile ground, and we now have in Russia the first environmental festival launched at the regional level upon the initiative of a public organisation.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting of the Russian Geographical Society’s Board of Trustees, St Petersburg, April 10
16 february
2012
Environmental Protection 44

“A huge proportion of our cities are still in bad shape, with about 40% of our urban population living in cities with polluted air. <…> We must achieve a sound balance between the challenges of economic development and the requirements of environmental protection. The document we are going to discuss and adopt today is aimed at properly regulating this sphere, with due account of modern requirements.”

Vladimir Putin
At a government meeting, February 16
17 october
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“The State Duma is currently considering a law on applying the world’s best environmental practices not only to the construction sector, but also to other industrial sectors. While working on this law, we drew from the best global practices and cooperated with international experts. I hope very much that it will be adopted by the State Duma in the near future and will be implemented in practice.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting of the Foreign Investment Advisory Council (FIAC), October 17
22 september
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“If we all act together – actively, carefully, abiding by international standards, listening to expert opinions and finding compromises – I am certain that we will be able to organise our work in the Arctic in such a way that it will contribute to all nations living there and, in fact, to all of humankind. At the same time, we will act so as to preserve the region for future generations, to the extent that humans can preserve anything in its original form; what I mean is that our planet is a living organism, and everything on it is changing.”

Vladimir Putin
At the second International Arctic Forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”, Arkhangelsk, September 22
22 september
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“Our goal is to use all our resources to study the current state of the Arctic in detail and to develop effective instruments for reducing already inflicted damage and preventing new risks. I'd like to hope that the current forum will become a venue for discussing and finding solutions to all the problems I have mentioned. Therefore, I propose that we devote the next forum to environmental protection.”

Vladimir Putin
At the second International Arctic Forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”, Arkhangelsk, September 22
22 september
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“For our part, we have already launched a general clean-up operation in the Far North and the Russian Arctic as promised. One of the first projects is clearing Franz Josef Land of barrels with waste oil. <…>Implementation of these proposals will not only improve the Arctic environment but also allow us to develop unique technology for reclaiming polluted territories. Let me repeat that environmental protection should become a key theme of our activities in the Far North because for all its severity, the Arctic has the most fragile ecosystem on our planet. The price of a negligent, careless attitude towards the Arctic is very high and the consequences disastrous.”

Vladimir Putin
At the second International Arctic Forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”, Arkhangelsk, September 22
22 september
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“All our plans will be carried out in compliance with the toughest environmental standards. A careful, civilised attitude to nature is a requirement of all development programmes. Active economic development of the Arctic will be beneficial only if we maintain a rational balance between economic interests and environmental protection for the long term, not just for 10, 15 or 20 years.”

Vladimir Putin
At the second International Arctic Forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”, Arkhangelsk, September 22
5 september
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“Certainly, not a single industrial project, neither production on the shelf nor construction of new plants, will be implemented without compliance with the most stringent ecological requirements. A protective, civilised relationship with nature is a prerequisite for the implementation of all our development programmes. Another 11 federal nature reserves and 20 national parks will be established in Russia within the next ten years.”

Vladimir Putin
At a United Russia party interregional conference, Strategy of Social and Economic Development for Russia’s Northwestern Regions to 2020. The Programme for 2011-2012, Cherepovets, September 5
15 july
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“We are introducing the most up-to-date environmental standards. Quite possibly, such standards are even more stringent than those in other countries. By no means can Russia be considered a leader in terms of emissions. <…>Russia does not damage the global environment to the same extent as other countries. At the same time, we understand our responsibility, but we will never place the national economy in a worse situation compared to other states. When we had signed and ratified the Kyoto protocol, Russia had assumed sufficiently tough obligations with regard to emissions. We are observing all of these commitments. We must promptly modernise production to reduce the burden on our ecosystem.”

Vladimir Putin
During his talks with workers at Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, July 15, Magnitogorsk
23 june
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“Come what may, we should switch to state-of-the-art equipment, which will be environmentally friendlier and more efficient. Such equipment demands high-octane petrol.”

Vladimir Putin
During the meeting with the Zavety Ilyicha agricultural cooperative’s staff and workers, Rostov, June 23
22 june
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“In addition to that, offshore and inland sea operations will be conducted only by those companies that, in addition to having the requisite technologies and specialists, have sufficient financial resources to prevent and clean up any potential oil spill and compensate for the damage done to the environment and to biological resources.”

Vladimir Putin
At a Government Presidium meeting, June 22
22 june
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“The tragedy that unfolded in the Gulf of Mexico last year is fresh in our memory. We remember the toll it took on the surrounding environment and on people. We need to be proactive and address all the necessary technical and financial issues in order to prevent anything of the sort from happening in Russia. Therefore, I propose to adopt a law listing all the requirements and responsibilities of those companies engaged in upstream and downstream operations in inland seas and on continental shelves.”

Vladimir Putin
At a Government Presidium meeting, June 22
22 june
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“We have big plans for development of the Pacific and Arctic shelves and certain areas of the Black and Caspian seas. <…> Let me point out that all such projects are carefully studied by environmental experts. Our basic requirements for Russian and foreign companies who plan to work in these areas include the use of the latest and most environmentally safe techniques in an effort to minimise their ecological impact.”

Vladimir Putin
At a Government Presidium meeting, June 22
5 may
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“All industrial projects in the Russian Arctic are thoroughly reviewed for their environmental impact. This is our principled position, we will proceed like this in the future, and this fully accords with the Basic Principles of State Policy in the Russian Arctic adopted in 2008.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting of the Government Presidium, May 5
15 april
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“I truly hope that the ethics of respect for the environment, wildlife and the country’s cultural and historical heritage will eventually become a fundamental part of our national identity. We have a lot to be proud of, a lot to preserve and, most importantly, something to pass on to future generations.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society, April, 15
30 march
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“If an enterprise invests in modernisation, energy conservation, and green technologies, it is entitled to preferential treatment. For instance, the cost of environmental protection can be taken into account in setting an environmental tax. By the same token, we propose to increase fines for those enterprises that violate (environmental) laws and established rules. I should emphasise here that all such proposed changes are in keeping with international practice and are essentially aimed at enhancing the ecological security of the country, improving quality of life, and contributing to the health of the nation. And, of course, they give an extra boost to technological innovation in our industry and economy.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting on improving the environmental situation in Russia, March 30
30 march
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“There is always a conflict between development and conservation. There always has been, and there always will be, but we need to strike a balance. <…>But we all understand that in the absence of incentives, production will remain steeped in old methods and old technologies.”

Vladimir Putin
At a meeting on improving the environmental situation in Russia, March 30
23 march
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“The construction of a regional emergency centre in Nis was one of the items on our agenda. Russian and Serbian rescuers intend to use it as a base for joint disaster relief efforts. We are calling on other Southeast European countries to join the project as well.”

Vladimir Putin
At a news conference on Russian-Serbian talks
4 march
2011
Environmental Protection 44

“The first sectors to be converted to new technologies will of course be those that pose environmental hazards. For example, major oil refineries – in Moscow, Ryazan, and Yaroslavl – are located practically within the city limits. Residents reasonably complain about the environmental hazards they present: chimney stacks spewing smoke, inefficient purification systems, etc. Over the next few years a drastic modernisation of all of these oil refineries will take place. Companies will invest about 118 billion roubles in modern equipment and conservation efforts, and harmful emissions will be cut almost by half.”

Vladimir Putin
At the United Russia Party Interregional Conference on the Development Strategy for Central Russia through 2020, Bryansk, March 4
11 december
2010
Environmental Protection 44

“The RGS is called upon to bear a substantial share of the responsibility to cultivate concern for the environment in society, to raise environmental awareness in the country. This objective applies, first and foremost, to the younger generation. I hope that the projects targeted at children and young people will be real priorities for the RGS and its partners. It is about developing educational programmes to support young scientists and, of course, organising competitions, festivals and expeditions that will help kids realise their potential, to believe in themselves and, most importantly, to truly get to know their homeland – our country.”

Vladimir Putin
At a session of the 14th Congress of the Russian Geographical Society, December, 11
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