Russian Federation

With the exception of big hydropower plants, countries in Europe and Central Asia make only limited use of renewable energy sources. © World Bank/Gennadiy Ratushenko
07 November 2011

Carbon finance in Europe and Central Asia: Opportunities versus reality

The Europe and Central Asia region is one of the world’s most carbon-intensive. Yet it has not benefited nearly as much from carbon finance as might be expected. Why is this?

Topics: Environment, Russian Federation , EU accession, Kyoto Protocol, Carbon finance, Clean development mechanism, Joint implementation, Sustainability and equity

Belarus and Ukraine have responded to national energy security concerns by promoting the cultivation of colza for biodiesel production. © Emmaunelhammel
07 November 2011

Biofuels and food prices

The biofuels industry has strong potential in the transition economies of Europe and Central Asia but its current growth is very low. What are the obstacles the biofuels sector faces?

Topics: Transition, Food security, Russian Federation , Serbia , Ukraine , Energy efficiency, Biofuel, Sustainability and equity

The Nickeleviy Zavod nickel processing plant. © Yuri Kozyrev/The World Bank
05 October 2011

Integrated investment plans and monoindustrial towns in Russia

Integrated investment plans have been an important part of the response to the economic crisis. This article briefly reviews these plans in five Russian cities.

Topics: Development, Russian Federation , Economic growth, Economic crisis, Economic development

05 April 2011

Russia and the World Trade Organization

Phillip Hanson looks at the issues surrounding Russia’s lengthy accession process to the WTO.

Topics: Russian Federation , Corruption, Trade

The movement of goods across the inner borders of the EurasEC countries requires no customs clearance or declarations. ©Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
13 December 2010

What does the EurasEC customs union give us?

What benefits does the customs union of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia bring for Kazakhstan’s foreign trade?

Topics: Belarus , Russian Federation , Economic growth, Kazakhstan, Economic development, Central Asia, Borders, Border management, Trade

A boy injured by a hand grenade sits on the front porch of his home in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. © UN Photo/Armineh Johannes
13 December 2010

Losing the peace: The Armenian-Azerbaijani stalemate in Nagorno-Karabakh

Observers warn that the military stalemate between Armenia and Azerbaijan might degenerate into crisis or even renewed war. What leads them to such conclusions?

Topics: Conflict, Armenia , Azerbaijan , Russian Federation , Foreign policy, Caucasus, Frozen conflicts, Borders

Kyrgyzstan’s economic situation would worsen considerably if the country loses access to its current duty-free supply of oil products and other raw materials from Russia and Kazakhstan. © OSCE/Roel Janssens
13 December 2010

The possible impact of the EurasEC customs union on Kyrgyzstan

What are the implications for Kyrgyzstan of the EurasEC customs union established this year between Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus?

Topics: Belarus , Kyrgyzstan , Russian Federation , Kazakhstan, World Trade Organization, Central Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Borders, Trade