Translation
Original language
16.07.2025
Large-scale technological projects of a new generation: environmental care, green economy, blue economy, circular economy, terraforming
The context and proposed concept
• Environmental problems such as ice melting, species extinction and a myriad of other problems are avalanching and catalysing one another.
• The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic, of which only 10% is recy- clable, and by 2050 plastic production will rise to one billion tonnes per year, aggravating environmental pollution.
• Europe has set a goal to reach a zero hydrocarbon balance by 2050.
• Biden allocates USD 2 trillion for new energy in 2020.
• In 2025, Trump cancels US participation in the Paris Agreement.
• China is actively moving towards alternative energy and environmental friendliness, recently amending its national constitution to include the con- cept of ‘ecological civilisation’.
• Russia lags behind these trends and may suffer as an outdated hydrocar- bon-dependent economy.
• Despite the ongoing debate on environmental issues, the general trend is that those countries that lag behind in this area will pay ever-increasing fines for their irresponsible attitude to the environment and will not be able to get away with declarative statements and demonstrative actions.
• Therefore, the only sensible way forward is to set up a long-term sustainable development strategy and see it not as a costly burden but as an opportunity for growth on a colossal scale.
• Naturally, this entails quite a few many political, economic, social, scientific and technical challenges.
• However, it is no secret that challenges are also an opportunity for innovation, outstanding solutions and technological breakthroughs.
• The environmental dimension offers great opportunities to improve the qual- ity of life of citizens, initiate a new social agenda uniting all segments of the population, give impetus to science and innovation, create new jobs and even industries, tap into the country’s dormant resources and strategic advantages, diversify the economy and boost export potential.
Russia can lead this agenda, which is extremely relevant for the global com- munity, thanks to its unique competences
• Long-term thinking: the state has the ability to consider and implement proj- ects over such long-term horizon that no businesses, no matter how big, can afford.
• Availability of the institute of national projects as such
• Huge production capacities and partnerships with different countries, indus- tries and academia
• Ability to manage large-scale projects and integrate different manufacturers into a single chain to achieve common results
• Technology and innovation potential: high-skilled staff, established system, research base, supporting network of research institutes
• Higher reputation and growing influence in the world
• Financial, material and production resources of state-owned enterprises and banks
What is to be noted when you pick the most promising areas
• Understand global trends and estimate the outlook for environmental issues for a period of 50+ years
• Understand Russia’s unique competitive advantages in this area
• Engage with the international community to identify unique Russian projects that have an impact on the global environment to be implemented with finan- cial support from international partners
• Focus on projects that will gather broad support nationwide
Estimation of the economic effect
• Strategic long-term projects cannot always be accurately digitised because they can have a snowball effect, creating a plethora of additional opportuni- ties along the way.
• Yet, even the rough estimate shows that implementing such an environmen- tal programme will generate hundreds of billions of dollars, including external investment.
• Some examples are listed in the table below, which is by no means exhaustive and should be complemented through broad involvement of the public, scien- tific and business communities as well as international partners
Success factors
• Elements that are necessary to achieve the project’s goal:
• Public demand for environmentally friendly products, lifestyle
• Local government problems related to environmental issues (water, rubbish, etc.)
• Emergence of new technologies
• The need for the Russian economy to be innovation-oriented
• Demand in Russia for export diversification
• Untapped potential of many businesses in Russia (excellent engineers, huge production capacities)
New projects and their impact: who, what and how
• Ordinary people: they need better quality of life, healthy environment, better health, positive image (mainstream) and more responsible lifestyle (self-ful- fillment). Citizens support the projects and demand for new technological solutions and products.
• Business needs to ensure demand for its products and to leverage its produc- tion capacities. Business provides the production base for new technologies and products, and (partially) finances initiatives and projects.
• Local authorities: need public approval, regional and federal approval and funding, infrastructure and environmental improvements for their citizens, they provide a local regulatory framework, demand for (certain) products, ensure a functioning structure / framework for the success of projects and possibly some funding or other resources (land, buildings, etc.).
• Federal government: needs economic growth, international recognition, new sources of exports. It provides the legal framework, demand for (certain) tech- nologies and products at the federal level, advertising (broad information campaign), possibly funding and other resources.
Conclusion
The world in general, and Russia in particular, is facing on the one hand a colossal and exponentially growing problem related to the collapse of ecological systems, and on the other hand an opportunity to create new industries, innova- tive products and sustainable solutions that will be in high demand. Russia, due to
many factors, including its size and geographical location, has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in the environmental agenda. This will lead to the devel- opment of innovation and technology, stimulate new industries, and harness the creative and intellectual potential of citizens. Such a programme will not only have a tremendous economic effect, but will promote Russia’s position as a participant in international processes, while also sending a positive and inspirational message to the country’s population in general and the youth in particular.
• Environmental problems such as ice melting, species extinction and a myriad of other problems are avalanching and catalysing one another.
• The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic, of which only 10% is recy- clable, and by 2050 plastic production will rise to one billion tonnes per year, aggravating environmental pollution.
• Europe has set a goal to reach a zero hydrocarbon balance by 2050.
• Biden allocates USD 2 trillion for new energy in 2020.
• In 2025, Trump cancels US participation in the Paris Agreement.
• China is actively moving towards alternative energy and environmental friendliness, recently amending its national constitution to include the con- cept of ‘ecological civilisation’.
• Russia lags behind these trends and may suffer as an outdated hydrocar- bon-dependent economy.
• Despite the ongoing debate on environmental issues, the general trend is that those countries that lag behind in this area will pay ever-increasing fines for their irresponsible attitude to the environment and will not be able to get away with declarative statements and demonstrative actions.
• Therefore, the only sensible way forward is to set up a long-term sustainable development strategy and see it not as a costly burden but as an opportunity for growth on a colossal scale.
• Naturally, this entails quite a few many political, economic, social, scientific and technical challenges.
• However, it is no secret that challenges are also an opportunity for innovation, outstanding solutions and technological breakthroughs.
• The environmental dimension offers great opportunities to improve the qual- ity of life of citizens, initiate a new social agenda uniting all segments of the population, give impetus to science and innovation, create new jobs and even industries, tap into the country’s dormant resources and strategic advantages, diversify the economy and boost export potential.
Russia can lead this agenda, which is extremely relevant for the global com- munity, thanks to its unique competences
• Long-term thinking: the state has the ability to consider and implement proj- ects over such long-term horizon that no businesses, no matter how big, can afford.
• Availability of the institute of national projects as such
• Huge production capacities and partnerships with different countries, indus- tries and academia
• Ability to manage large-scale projects and integrate different manufacturers into a single chain to achieve common results
• Technology and innovation potential: high-skilled staff, established system, research base, supporting network of research institutes
• Higher reputation and growing influence in the world
• Financial, material and production resources of state-owned enterprises and banks
What is to be noted when you pick the most promising areas
• Understand global trends and estimate the outlook for environmental issues for a period of 50+ years
• Understand Russia’s unique competitive advantages in this area
• Engage with the international community to identify unique Russian projects that have an impact on the global environment to be implemented with finan- cial support from international partners
• Focus on projects that will gather broad support nationwide
Estimation of the economic effect
• Strategic long-term projects cannot always be accurately digitised because they can have a snowball effect, creating a plethora of additional opportuni- ties along the way.
• Yet, even the rough estimate shows that implementing such an environmen- tal programme will generate hundreds of billions of dollars, including external investment.
• Some examples are listed in the table below, which is by no means exhaustive and should be complemented through broad involvement of the public, scien- tific and business communities as well as international partners
Success factors
• Elements that are necessary to achieve the project’s goal:
• Public demand for environmentally friendly products, lifestyle
• Local government problems related to environmental issues (water, rubbish, etc.)
• Emergence of new technologies
• The need for the Russian economy to be innovation-oriented
• Demand in Russia for export diversification
• Untapped potential of many businesses in Russia (excellent engineers, huge production capacities)
New projects and their impact: who, what and how
• Ordinary people: they need better quality of life, healthy environment, better health, positive image (mainstream) and more responsible lifestyle (self-ful- fillment). Citizens support the projects and demand for new technological solutions and products.
• Business needs to ensure demand for its products and to leverage its produc- tion capacities. Business provides the production base for new technologies and products, and (partially) finances initiatives and projects.
• Local authorities: need public approval, regional and federal approval and funding, infrastructure and environmental improvements for their citizens, they provide a local regulatory framework, demand for (certain) products, ensure a functioning structure / framework for the success of projects and possibly some funding or other resources (land, buildings, etc.).
• Federal government: needs economic growth, international recognition, new sources of exports. It provides the legal framework, demand for (certain) tech- nologies and products at the federal level, advertising (broad information campaign), possibly funding and other resources.
Conclusion
The world in general, and Russia in particular, is facing on the one hand a colossal and exponentially growing problem related to the collapse of ecological systems, and on the other hand an opportunity to create new industries, innova- tive products and sustainable solutions that will be in high demand. Russia, due to
many factors, including its size and geographical location, has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in the environmental agenda. This will lead to the devel- opment of innovation and technology, stimulate new industries, and harness the creative and intellectual potential of citizens. Such a programme will not only have a tremendous economic effect, but will promote Russia’s position as a participant in international processes, while also sending a positive and inspirational message to the country’s population in general and the youth in particular.
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