The article analyzes the trends and forecasts of climate change, as well as its consequences for the most vulnerable regions of the world, which include not only the countries of Africa, Asia, small island states, but also some regions of Russia, primarily the Arctic. It is shown that in the conditions of climate change it is necessary to develop fundamentally new approaches to adaptation and mitigation of the consequences of such a change. In particular, in addition to the development of new technologies, a revision of approaches to determining responsibility for global warming is required. The article considers traditional approaches to the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions by regions of the world. It is shown that all these approaches take into account only “direct” emissions. At the same time, “indirect” emissions from the production and transportation of goods from the countries of the global South to the countries of the global North are not taken into account. This leads to the transfer of environmental and climatic costs to the former. It is concluded that the existing policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions takes into account the interests of the countries of the global North, while neither Russia nor the countries of the global South can afford to take on overly ambitious plans to achieve carbon neutrality. Therefore, it is extremely important to find a compromise and develop a flexible climate policy both at the national and international level. It is emphasized that Russia should take an active position in shaping the international climate agenda, while relying on scientific diplomacy. Proposals for further scientific research and foreign policy measures in the field of climate change are formulated.
climate change; the Arctic; adaptation to climate change; mitigation of climate change; carbon budget; structural violence; scientific diplomacy.