Russia: environment

How fast is Russia warming?

Russia warmed by 0.51°C per decade between 1976 and 2020, almost twice as fast as the world's land areas as a whole, according to Roshydromet's Third Assessment Report on climate change, published in 2022. Global land temperatures rose 0.295°C per decade over the same period.

The report says each decade since 1981–1990 has been warmer than the one before, and nine of the ten warmest years were in the 21st century. Warming is fastest in the Arctic. Roshydromet also publishes annual reports on the climate of the previous year.

Official sources: Roshydromet: Third Assessment Report, summary (Russian)

How much greenhouse gas does Russia emit?

Russia emitted 2,576 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank's greenhouse gas emissions indicator. That was up from 2,513 million tonnes in 2023 and 2,459 million in 2022.

The figures are in carbon dioxide equivalent and cover carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. Land use and forestry are excluded. The World Bank series can differ from Russia's own national inventory.

Official sources: World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Russia

How much of Russia is covered by forest?

Forests covered 50.8% of Russia's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area indicator, up slightly from 50.7% in 2023 and 2022.

The data come from the FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment, which counts land of more than half a hectare with trees above 5 metres and canopy cover above 10%. Small yearly changes reflect both regrowth and losses, such as fires and logging.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area (% of land area), Russia

How polluted is the air in Russia?

Russians were exposed to an average of 11.6 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank's PM2.5 exposure indicator, down from 11.8 in 2022 and 12.9 in 2021.

The WHO guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms. The figure is a population-weighted national estimate, so levels in industrial cities can be much higher. Roshydromet monitors air pollution in Russian cities and publishes the results in its environmental monitoring reports.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Russia

How much of Russia's energy is renewable?

Renewable sources supplied 3.5% of Russia's final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank's renewable energy indicator. The share was 3.7% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2019.

The measure includes hydropower, wind, solar and bioenergy, and covers all energy use, not only electricity. The latest value in the series is for 2021, so it does not show more recent changes.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Russia

What is Russia's carbon footprint per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Russia was 14.0 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 12th highest.

What are Russia's emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Russia at 2,576 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Russia placed 1st highest of 46. Worldwide: 4th of 186.

What share of Russia's energy comes from renewables?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Russia was 3.5%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 3.7%; its low point was 2011, at 3.2%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Russia placed 46th highest of 50. Worldwide: 163rd of 191.

What is Russia's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Russia at 50.8% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 33.2%, and Russia placed 7th highest of 51. Worldwide: 50th of 190.

How polluted is the air in Russia?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Russia at 11.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre; Russia is 31st highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 141st of 192.

How much of Russia's land is protected?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Russia was 11.5%, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Russia is 44th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 139th highest.

How much of Russia's fresh water is used?

4.1%: that is water stress in Russia for 2022, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.9% (2013) to 4.5% (2014). It is 38th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 12.6%. Worldwide: 128th of 175.