Why Altai needs a carbon landfill, it was told at an open lecture at Altai State University

On February 7, within the framework of the program of events dedicated to the Day of Russian Science, Altai State University hosted an open lecture "Carbon range of Altai Krai: the current stage in the development of natural science areas of Altai State University under the policy of "carbon neutrality". The speakers were the scientist Andrey Bondarovich, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, and Vadim Beskorovaev, Deputy Project Manager of the Project Management Office.

Carbon landfills in Russia. Photo taken from the site "Carbon landfills of the Russian Federation"

The topic of the lecture was chosen deliberately. Global trends show that by 2100 the average temperature of the atmosphere will increase by 1-2 degrees. The global climate agenda and the resulting need to limit greenhouse gas emissions are also of concern to scientists and environmentalists from Altai Krai. One of the solutions to the global problem is the development of methods for controlling the balance of greenhouse gases in the region through the creation of carbon landfills.

The carbon landfill is an area with a unique ecosystem where scientists can measure the level of carbon release under different tillage regimes. They lay the foundation for the creation of a domestic greenhouse gas monitoring system that uses remote measurement methods and processing of the data received using artificial intelligence. In 2021, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation launched a pilot project to create carbon landfills in Russia to develop and test carbon balance control technologies. There will be one in Altai Krai, and Altai State University scientists will supervise the process of creation and implementation.

Just about this Andrey Alexandrovich spoke in the first part of the lecture.

Vadim Beskorovaev, in his speech, drew attention to the world and Russian legislation in the field of ecology, aimed, among other things, at coordinating greenhouse gas emissions. In accordance with the current regulations, all enterprises must register as an object that has a negative impact on the environment. There are certain criteria on the basis of which categories are assigned to an enterprise: from the fourth (having a minimal negative impact on the environment) to the first (having a significant negative impact on the environment). Enterprises - objects of the first category - are required to obtain a comprehensive environmental permit. This document is a guarantee that the company will comply with the established environmental protection standards.

According to Vadim Beskorovaev, currently 65 enterprises in Altai Krai are objects of the first category. The sphere of activity of these enterprises is extensive: agriculture, metallurgy, water utilities, chemical production.

Currently, development strategies are being implemented that contain an action plan for the transition of enterprises to low-carbon production and, consequently, the reduction of technological emissions. This includes modernization and the creation of specialized reference books of available technologies.

The creation of a carbon landfill is a significant step towards reducing the negative impact of enterprises of various levels on the environment. This conclusion was reached by the participants of the open lecture, who were greatly impressed.