Russia: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030

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The National Intelligence Council sponsors workshops and research with nongovernmental experts to gain knowledge and insights and to sharpen debate on critical issues. The views expressed in this report do not reflect official US Government positions.

Executive Summary (excerpt)

Russia is already experiencing the impacts of climate change in the form of milder winters; melting permafrost; changing precipitation patterns; the spread of disease; and increased incidence of drought, flooding, and other extreme weather events. Many of these observed climate impacts are having concrete, negative effects on Russians’ quality of life. By 2030, Russia will start to feel the impacts of climate change in relation to both water and food supply. Nonetheless, a significant portion of the country’s senior leaders continue to voice the view that a warming climate is a net benefit for Russia. Russia has a number of attributes that provide a greater capacity for resilience than some other industrialized countries and most developing countries. However, as the impacts of climate change continue and intensify over the coming years, Russia’s capacity to adapt and protect its people will be severely tested.

This paper does not represent US Government views.