Rosneft and the Federal Forestry Agency, Rosleskhoz, recently announced a long-term cooperation agreement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The collaboration aims to create a shared regulatory framework and a clear methodology for evaluating forest absorption capacity, with a focus on mobilizing investment in forest climate projects across Russia. The partnership envisions a practical path to align standards and drive measurable climate outcomes through forest ecosystems, according to statements from the companies’ press services and forum officials.
Beyond the planning stage, the two organizations intend to undertake joint actions to safeguard and renew Russia’s forests. They will explore how to boost absorptive capacity by deploying innovative technologies and modern practices. At the same time, a key aspect of the alliance is the broad dissemination of forest-conservation opportunities, coupled with support for training, research programs, and personnel development. This comprehensive approach underscores a commitment to knowledge sharing and capacity building within the forestry sector.
The Rosleskhoz partnership is seen as a stepping stone to implementing forest climate projects that comply with both international norms and Russian policy goals, particularly in the realm of carbon management. This alignment is designed to create favorable conditions for project realization while ensuring transparency and accountability in emissions reduction efforts. The collaboration is framed as a strategic move to harmonize environmental action with industrial activity, reinforcing the government’s and industry’s共同 objectives in climate stewardship.
In a development related to SPIEF, Rosneft and St. Petersburg State Forest Engineering University, also known as Kirov FSUE, agreed to advance a forest climate project in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The plan calls for a sequence of forestry activities with a total absorption potential reaching 10 million tons of CO2 equivalent. The initiative has roots in Rosneft’s leadership role with regional authorities and has already received sign-off from the Russian President, reflecting the high level of political and industrial support.
Under this agreement, the university will study international standards and best practices for forest climate projects and will craft actionable recommendations for Krasnoyarsk. The focus areas include reforestation, afforestation, and the protection of forests with high conservation value, ensuring that the project delivers tangible environmental benefits while maintaining ecological integrity.
Rosneft has positioned itself as a pioneer among Russian oil and gas companies in pursuing carbon neutrality. The company has integrated this objective into its Rosneft-2030 strategy, with afforestation playing a central role. Notably, Rosneft planted roughly 9.3 million tree saplings in 2021 as part of its ongoing commitment to expanding forest cover and enhancing carbon sinks. This track record underlines the company’s emphasis on sustainable development and responsible resource management.