The first event on EU-Russia Climate Change cooperation was well attended by 40 representatives from the European institutions, multinational business, NGOs and civil society among others. Participants were especially happy at the involvement of the Russia-based speakers and the insights of the panel prompted an exciting and balanced debate.

In the Q&A session, various views were put forward and the dialogue was continuing well after the closing remarks. Amongst issues that have been discussed were:

EU & RUSSIA

Challenges facing the Russian government with reference to climate change

Signals of stabilization and diversification in the Russian energy sector

The role of Russian business and international bodies

Ideas for strengthening EU-Russia relations in the field of Climate Change cooperation

AWARENESS

Public attitudes in the EU and Russia and methods of attracting the Russian public sector support for Kyoto

The role of civil society and the media

Need for NGO and business cooperation and education at a pan-European and Russian level

MARKET AND BUSINESS

The importance of the dialogue of EU-Russia business and the position of the EU market as a driver for climate change policy

ENERGY

Business support for for EU-level energy negotiation

Russia-EU energy interdependency and the common economic space

Energy cooperation and the prospects for Russia on carbon emissions in the short and long term

Energy saving potential in Russia and the EU

RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

Support to united research efforts and the link between Russia and EU science/research and policy makers.

Technologically driven response to Climate Change and the role of incentives and targets within the regulative framework

Technology replacement and the importance of economic-based study