SakhalinMedia, April 22
Sakhalin Becomes Russia's First Carbon-Neutral Region After Years of Green Efforts
Sakhalin Region Governor Valery Limarenko has stated that infrastructure development is not just about numbers and reports—it is about tangible improvements in people's quality of life. His remarks came as Sakhalin was showcased as a model region during the high-level segment of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, held under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva. Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations, noted that Russia is making a significant contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the island region serving as one of the strongest examples.
Speaking in Geneva, Logvinov emphasized that Russia has integrated measures to meet the SDGs into its national strategic documents.
"Our country is rapidly increasing the number of cities with healthy environments and inclusive infrastructure, actively adopting energy-efficient technologies in urban construction, and advancing digitalization—including through the implementation of urban 'digital twin' systems," the diplomat said.
He paid special attention to Sakhalin Region. "In August 2025, it became Russia's first region to achieve carbon neutrality. This was made possible through the comprehensive modernization of transport infrastructure, expanded gas supply networks, the widespread adoption of energy-saving technologies in industry, and the introduction of integrated carbon regulation mechanisms, including emissions quotas," Logvinov explained. Throughout the "Sakhalin experiment," the region's gross regional product has shown consistent growth, proving that sustainable development and economic progress can go hand in hand.
Commenting on the international recognition, Governor Valery Limarenko stressed:
"By developing infrastructure, we are making life more comfortable for the people of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands—that is the most important part of our work. New roads, gas supply expansion, clean air, and modern public spaces—behind each of these projects are real people whose lives are improving here and now."
One striking example of this commitment is the social gasification program. On the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, gas lines are being extended free of charge to the boundaries of private land plots. In Sakhalin, additional benefits are in place: the regional budget covers 180,000 rubles toward preparing a home for gas connection. Thanks to a tripartite agreement, residents only pay the difference in the cost of the work, while the subsidy is directly transferred from the district administration to the contractor. For eligible groups—including participants in the special military operation, large families, people with disabilities, and pensioners—some municipalities also reimburse part of the cost of purchasing a gas boiler (in Dolinsky District, for example, up to 65,000 rubles).
"We want as many people as possible to have access to clean, eco-friendly fuel. This not only improves air quality but also helps households save money. After connecting a private home to gas, utility bills drop by a factor of two to five," noted Limarenko. To date, 10 districts, 62 settlements, and nearly 36,000 households have been gasified, bringing the region's gasification rate to 68%.
Air quality is also under constant monitoring. Andrei Samatov, Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development, reported that emissions in Sakhalin have fallen by 28% between 2017 and 2024. This reduction stems from the gasification of heat and power facilities and private homes, the shift to low-carbon fuels for vehicles, and the development of transport infrastructure. The region now has 37 automated low-rise monitoring stations equipped with dust analyzers and gas sensors. Operating around the clock, they track air quality, with real-time data published on the Ministry of Ecology's official website.
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