300 years of coal mining in Kuzbass: No reason to celebrate

Katrin Ganswindt, Coal Campaigner at the Environmental Organisation Urgewald, commented: "The mining curse brought on Kuzbass 300 years ago still takes a high toll on local communities, especially Indigenous Peoples. At the anniversary gala in Kemerovo, President Putin promised a reduction of air pollution of 20% by 2024 in the biggest city Novokuznetsk, as well as gradual reductions in the whole area. [2] But how will that be possible without addressing coal as the main culprit and consequently reducing mining? The coal mining industry in Kuzbass is still expanding. Russia aims for a decline in coal use from 15% to 7% by 2040. If President Putin is really as concerned about the Kuzbass environment as he claims, promises of new “modern” areas of employment or social centres will not suffice. What is needed is for coal producers to actually meet environmental standards and for Russia to set a clear target for the end of coal mining and combustion – for the sake of the Russian people and the climate."

Notes:
[1] https://ecodefense.ru/2021/02/01/extraordinary-pollution-and-high-mortality/
[2] http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/66149