Russians snub offer to help cut emissions

The Russian owners of the Norilsk Nickel plant on the Kola Peninsula earned huge profits last year but haven't made any efforts to cut the plant's emissions. Nor have they taken up a Norwegian offer to fund a clean-up.

The metals plant [photo at left] is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions in Europe. It annually emits around 100,000 tons into the atmosphere, 4.2 times higher than Norway's total emissions. Never before has it released such high emissions, and never before has it earned so much money. Forbes Magazine estimated their wealth at about USD 45 billion.

Norway, which shares a border with Russia that adjoins the Kola Peninsula, has long been concerned about the plant's emissions. The Norwegian government has for years pledged NOK 270 million (USD 54 million) to help the plant cut emissions, but so far, nothing has happened...

[tell me again what our trillions spent on Kyoto would buy us? Russia and China aren't having any of it - but will make the occassional noise to see if the rest of us are foolish enough to cut our own economic throats with it]

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