On April 6, a first EU-Russia modelling workshop for decarbonisation scenarios took place by videoconference. It was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation together with SKOLKOVO Energy Centre, a subdivision of Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, to support climate policymaking in both the EU and Russia. The workshop brought together leading researchers from European and Russian think tanks, including the European Commission Joint Research Centre in Sevilla (Spain), The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), headquartered in Paris (France), the Higher School of Economics in Moscow (Russia) and other reputable research centers. It highlighted opportunities, challenges and bottlenecks of decarbonisation actions, and analyzed measures on climate goals set in the EU long-term low greenhouse gas emission strategy adopted on March 6,  2020 and the draft long-term strategy of low-carbon development published by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development on March 23,  2020.

The workshop had several sessions enabling participants to discuss various aspects of the decarbonisation policies, including its implementation in several key economic areas. The first session entitled “Methological aspects for building low-carbon scenarios” aimed to give an overview of analytical work conducted in EU and Russia that serves as the basis for national decarbonisation strategies. The second session reviewed decarbonatisation strategies for the energy sector, including Russia’s response options to the climate changes, perspectives of adapting a hybrid energy/economy model to Russia, scenarios for energy efficiency, co-generation and emissions mitigation options in Russia and other aspects of the climate agenda in the energy sector. At the third session, participants discussed various scenarios for sinking the emissions at land, forestry and agriculture sectors. In addition, the workshop presented the report on the PESETA project (Projection of economic impacts of climate change in Sectors of the European Union based on bottom-up analysis), under which a consistent multi-sectoral assessment of the impacts of climate change in Europe is being currently made. The workshop wrapped up with a general discussion and concluding reports by its moderators — Tatiana Mitrova, Director of SKOLKOVO Energy Centre, and Kimon Keramidas, representative of the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) at Sevilla.

The workshop facilitated the analysis of methods used to prepare decarbonisation scenarios in the EU and in Russia, the exchange of information and views regarding the decarbonisation opportunities in key economic sectors, and the identification of areas of mutual interest for possible further collaboration between the EU and Russia on decarbonisation issues. Further on-line conferences are foreseen to enhance the dialogue between the EU and Russia on climate agenda.

^❋The Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation is a diplomatic mission and officially represents the European Union in the Russian Federation. It is one of over 140 European Union Delegations around the world. The Delegation promotes the political and economic relations between Russia and the European Union, monitors the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Russia, informs the public of the development of the EU and explains and defends individual EU policies, and participates in the implementation of the European Union's assistance programmes.

^❋The SKOLKOVO Energy Centre, a subdivision of Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO is a leading Russian independent examination and education center in the energy industry. Activities: open studies, popularization of knowledge of global energy development trends, arrangement for multilateral industry dialogues, educational programs, strategic consulting and preparation of practical recommendations for energy companies and regulators. The Energy Centre is the platform for informal international dialogues and professional meetings with participation of companies from the fuel-and-power sector, expert community and public authorities to discuss strategic prospects of the sector development.

^❋Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO is one of the leading private business schools in Russia and the CIS, founded in 2006 upon the initiative of the business community. The founding partners of the school include 8 Russian and international companies and 11 private persons, leaders of the Russian business. The business school was founded by Russian entrepreneurs — founders of major companies, patrons representing key industries of the Russian economy. The line of educational programs of Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO includes business programs for all stages of business development: from a startup to a major corporation entering international markets. The business school has research centers and departments studying actual issues of various sectors of economy, rendering consulting services, developing educational programs and promoting the intelligent school agenda in general.