Decarbonization of the global economy cannot be avoided. The challenges we will have to face are enormous and we must address them quickly — Selwin Charles Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action, United Nations.

There is an ongoing change in the attitudes of society and companies. <…> Today the demand for the environmental agenda is higher than before. Among other things, last year's crisis led us to this and gave us an additional impetus to discuss this agenda. A person now no longer just buys a product, they want to know what impact the process of its production has had on the environment — Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Compared to 1990, our country has reduced greenhouse gas emissions. <…> We continue environmentally oriented modernization of our industries — Victoria Abramchenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

The population of the countries that ignore these initiatives has no future — Enric Sala, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Society.

The climate does not have political views. It would be better to consider the climate outside of relations associated with trade wars, for example — Victoria Abramchenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

The efficiency of the implementation of climate projects in Russia is tens of times higher than anywhere else. <...> It is important that the efforts that we have made are recognized and counted in relation to export — Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Many countries have announced that they will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, but in reality, emissions are increasing. It is not enough to show ambition, you need to act. <…> The Russian Federation is consistent in its actions; we will not call for anything that is groundless. First you need to carry out research work. It is only after this that will we call for carbon neutrality — Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation; Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues.

Energy transition is inevitable. There are different options for its speed though. <…> According to the International Energy Agency, we need to completely stop financing the oil and gas industry starting tomorrow. Everyone understands that this is unrealistic. <...> Around 30 countries have announced that they will give up the coal power. All this sounds politically beautiful ... but there are a lot of questions that are not answered. For example, a UN representative said that one of the issues of the fight against the coal industry would be discussed in Glasgow. <...> I do not and will not understand why exactly such goals are set and what workers in Kuzbass, for example, should do with these goal — Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

We understand how all this will be done, by what means, changing what elements of business systems — Dmitry Konov, Head of the Administration of the Gusevsky City District Municipal Structure.

Closing carbon markets has its disadvantages. <…> We see discrimination and double standards. They do not lead to a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. On the one hand, they call for national ambition, but at the same time they close the markets — Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation; Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues.

To prevent climate change and disasters, we must significantly reduce emissions and innovate technologies. This is especially true for pollution with carbonaceous substances — Enric Sala, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Society.

In the Arctic zone there is permafrost, and we see large-scale floods and freezing rains. <…> We are now creating a system of carbon polygons – sites in different natural climatic zones. Currently there are already eight of them. <…> We are launching a pilot project in Sakhalin Region to work out the mechanisms. By 2025, we plan that it will become carbon neutral. This year we must finish working on adaptation plans for the most vulnerable sectors of the economy — Victoria Abramchenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

COVID has clearly showed us all that we are only strong when united. Global threats require global solutions. Climate now poses one of the greatest challenges — Selwin Charles Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action, United Nations.