Environmentalists responded with stoicism to the appointment of career oil man Sergei Donskoi as the new natural resources and environment minister. For MT Donskoi Environmentalists responded with stoicism to the appointment of...

... pipelines like Nord Stream — which carries natural gas beneath the Baltic directly to Germany — have been laid to ease hydrocarbon exports. Still more ambitious developments of port facilities in the Russian Baltic are in the works — and environmentalists are seriously concerned. "Such development reflects the increasing prosperity in the region — it is a good sign. But at the same time one has to ensure that this transportation is not posing a risk to the marine environment...

... decision should be considered, so to speak, through green policy," she said, RIA-Novosti reported Thursday. Matviyenko said the idea was one of several proposals being considered as part of an effort to improve the efficiency of the upper house. Environmentalists welcomed the idea. "I'd rather that it were in the State Duma, because by the time a bill reaches the upper house a lot of work has already gone into it, and it is harder to change. But such a procedure at the Federation Council...

... environmental audit system and a ban on unsorted garbage. The document offers no estimate of the costs of the transition to higher standards, but says such projects will be financed from federal and regional budgets, as well as public-private partnerships. Environmentalists have applauded the sentiments, but warned that though the strategy promises much, it offers little detail. "We welcome any documents that help to create a system to support the environment," said Vladimir Chuprov, director...

... [opposition-minded] people who are open to discussion and have come here, all we see is a pack of pundits muttering that opposition is always to blame for everything and citing conspiracy theories,” she said. Sobchak was joined in the walkout by environmentalists Yevgenia Chirikova, Oleg Mitvol, blogger Marina Litvinovich, rally organizer Alyona Popova and A Just Russia Duma Deputy Dmitry Gudkov. They were followed later by opposition politicians Irina Khakamada, Yabloko party leader Sergei...

... scientific and human resources for that, as well as create normal living conditions," Orlov said. The detailed plan for the hub might be drafted in the summer, Orlov said, but it remains unclear how it will deal with environmental protection issues, as environmentalists have repeatedly urged the government to demonstrate a more responsible approach to offshore drilling projects. Russia's journey to explore offshore fields in the Arctic — the government's priority for the next decade — had...