Rustem Khamitov attended meeting of State Council RF

UFA, 28 December 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Alexander Smirnov/. On December 27, the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov took part in a meeting of the State Council of the Russian Federation in Moscow devoted to issues of environmental development for the benefit of future generations.

The meeting discussed the role and place of Russia in solution of global environmental problems, the main problem of long-term sustainable development of the country, such as reduction of environmental degradation risks and exhaustion of natural resources, elimination of accumulated environmental damage, introduction of modern clean technology in manufacturing, reduction of harmful emissions .

Opening the meeting, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the year of 2017 had been declared the Year of the Environment. Protection of the environment is crucial, above all, to improving the efficiency of the national economy, on the one hand, and at the same time to improving the quality of people’s life, and achieving the potential of our regions, on the other.

“The key issue is to achieve drastic reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere, their discharge into water and soil, primarily due to the technological re-equipment of industry, introduction of the best available technology,” said the head of the state. “Of course, this requires investments, but we have to understand that eco-friendly technology is not only a priority but also brings about tangible economic benefits”.

Vladimir Putin outlined the most pressing environmental problems that require prompt solutions.

“The situation with hazardous emissions remains critical. Half of the city population breathes highly polluted air. Vehicles, both personal and public, contribute 50 to 90 percent. A significant part of open water is classified as polluted or extremely polluted. Seven percent of residents have no access to quality drinking water. Soil condition is worsening in nearly all regions. If we continue to limit the solution to half-measures and prioritise other objectives, the emissions and greenhouse gases will reach a critical level by 2050. We understand very well what this means. This means that we will leave the future generations an environment unfit for living. Therefore, we must reduce pollution and emissions by at least 50 percent.”

Among other important areas of environmental development, Vladimir Putin named the improvement of the ecological information system, disposal of waste production and consumption, active involvement of citizens and NGOs in solving environmental problems.