Rating of Russian Arctic regions by energy transition

The Arctic is rapidly warming, and the transition to clean energy is a matter of survival. We tell you which Arctic regions of Russia are already taking steps towards a sustainable future.

The Arctic is warming at a rapid pace. Forestalling a climate catastrophe requires an urgent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, a transition to clean energy is not only a necessity but also an opportunity for new economic development and a solution to local environmental issues. While many believe that the Arctic’s extreme climate hampers the spread of any innovation, Arctida’s study shows that a sustainable future is possible even in such challenging conditions.

We analyzed how renewable energy sources (RES) and electric transport are being developed in the northern regions of the country, as well as efforts to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Based on this, we ranked regions in the Russian Arctic—from those emerging as relative leaders and already implementing green technologies, to outsiders that are taking minimal steps, or ignoring the need for change entirely.

We would like to thank the "To Be Precise" project for their assessment of the research methodology and assistance with visualizing the ranking results.

Why is climate crisis dangerous for the Arctic (and for us all)

• Record-breaking warming and its consequences. 2024 went down in history as the warmest year on record. Global warming is accompanied by floods, droughts, wildfires, and infrastructure destruction, including damage caused by permafrost thawing. If this trend continues, the consequences could be catastrophic: mass migration from affected regions, worsening economic inequality, environmental degradation, and a variety of other negative effects.
• The Arctic is the epicenter of irreversible changes. Here, temperatures rise four times faster than the global average. As a result, sea ice is disappearing, which threatens the planet’s climate balance, increasing the risk of species extinction and heightening the potential for armed conflicts over access to resources.
• New economic challenges. Economic damage from hazardous climate events in Russia amounts to tens of billions of rubles annually. Permafrost thawing is already damaging 40% of buildings and infrastructure. This makes restoration costly or nearly impossible**.**

What can decelerate the climate crisis?

The key to solving the problem is energy transition, which means gradually departing from our reliance on fossil fuels in favor of cleaner energy sources and more efficient energy consumption.

Today, the energy sector is the largest contributor to the crisis, accounting for 73% of global CO₂ emissions and 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in Russia. Transitioning to clean energy will significantly reduce these figures. In its ranking, Arctida analyzed the implementation of key energy transition measures and technologies in Russia’s Arctic regions across the following areas:

• Renewable energy sources. Currently, renewable energy (RES) is the best available technology for power generation in terms of environmental impact and safety. Greenhouse gas emissions from a solar power plant are 17–30 times lower than those from coal-fired generation and 10–18 times lower than from gas-fired power. Wind energy reduces emissions by 68–75 times and 41–45 times, respectively. Additionally, using RES in the Russian Arctic lowers costs associated with delivering expensive diesel fuel. ****

• Electric transport. An electric vehicle (EV) charged with low-carbon electricity (derived from RES) reduces greenhouse gas emissions nearly threefold compared to a diesel car. Even when charged from fossil gas, an EV remains 18–27% more environmentally friendly. However, public electric transport is a more sustainable solution than private EVs, which is why the former is the focus of the study.
• Energy conservation and efficiency in buildings. Buildings with the highest energy efficiency ratings (A, A+, and A++) consume 40–60% less energy than standard ones. Overheating, a common issue in Russia, happens during the heating season when excessively hot and dry indoor air can only be managed by opening windows. Such unnecessary heat waste could be avoided by introducing individual heat meters. According to various estimates, this could reduce heating costs by 2–3 times.

How the Arctic is tackling climate change: Arctida’s study

Regional initiatives can play a crucial role in Russia’s shift to clean energy and its path toward carbon neutrality. Based on data from open sources, responses to official inquiries, and expert assessments, Arctida has compiled a ranking of Arctic regions according to their progress in implementing key energy transition measures at the local level.

The main evaluation criteria were strategic planning, actual progress, and transparency in providing information. The ranking considers measures that have already been implemented—which were prioritized in the calculation of the final scores—while also weighing regional plans for the future.

Results

The top positions in the ranking were taken by the Republic of Karelia, the Murmansk region, and the Krasnoyarsk region.

Karelia came out on top as the leader of the Arctida ranking, scoring the highest total points. Among Arctic regions, it has the largest capacity of RES and the highest number of newly constructed energy-efficient buildings rated class A per capita. Moreover, the region also has plans for further development of RES. Karelia ranks second in the number of charging stations for electric vehicles and third in the percentage of indoor spaces equipped with individual heat meters. Additionally, the region operates public electric transport—trolleybuses in Petrozavodsk.

The Murmansk and Krasnoyarsk regions shared second place. Murmansk preserved many small hydroelectric power plants from the Soviet era and is home to the new Kola Wind Farm, the largest in the world beyond the Arctic Circle. The region also has plans for how RES will be developed further. Moreover, the Murmansk region has the highest number of electric transport units per capita (trolleybuses in Murmansk).

Krasnoyarsk stood out for having the highest number of electric charging stations per capita and a unique initiative to replace all buses in Krasnoyarsk with electric buses by 2028. The region also has specific targets for RES development and measures related to energy conservation and efficiency, as assessed in the ranking.

Altogether, not one Arctic region shows high scores across all evaluation categories simultaneously, so the highest-ranking regions should not be treated as an ideal standard for the implementation of energy transition measures.

The regions at the bottom of the ranking include the Nenets and Chukotka autonomous districts and the Arkhangelsk region. These areas lack or have very limited renewable energy and electric transport infrastructure, as well as average or low results in new energy-efficient construction and installation of individual heat meters.

Success Stories

• Wind farms are effective even beyond the Arctic Circle. The Murmansk region has emerged as a relative leader in renewable energy thanks to the Kola Wind Farm, which boasts a capacity of 202.4 MW—making it the largest wind farm in the world beyond the Arctic Circle. The project, comprising 57 wind turbines, was made possible through government support and investments from a Western company. Today, the wind farm is managed by a Russian company, highlighting the growing involvement of Russian players in the development of green energy.
• Electric transport in harsh climates. The Krasnoyarsk region shows that electric transport can thrive even in extreme winter conditions. Electric buses became part of the solution for mitigating the region’s air pollution problems. The city is modernizing its public transport fleet and installing charging stations for electric vehicles, promoting the adoption of innovative technology. These projects are being realized with federal support.
• Energy-efficient buildings. In Syktyvkar (Komi Republic), a building with the highest energy efficiency rating (A++) is under construction, featuring double wall insulation. Meanwhile, Novodvinsk (the Arkhangelsk region) commissioned the construction of an A+-rated house with heat pumps, solar collectors, and advanced resource monitoring systems. While such projects are still rare in the Russian Arctic, existing government support could help expand their adoption. However, to effectively mitigate the climate crisis, more radical solutions—such as zero-emission buildings—are needed. This standard is set to become mandatory for all new construction in the European Union by 2030.
• Biofuel as a new prospect for Arctic regions. Western sanctions have accelerated the shift from coal and fuel oil to biofuels in northern regions with a strong forestry industry. Russian pellet producers, having lost key markets in the EU, started to actively develop the domestic market. This trend helps reduce the carbon footprint and promotes the use of local resources in the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk region.

The future lies in energy transition

Arctida research is more than just a ranking—it’s a roadmap for action. Some Arctic regions have already taken their first steps toward green solutions, setting an example that can inspire others.

Developing renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies, and electric transport is a tangible way to combat the climate crisis, address local environmental challenges, and take steps toward a sustainable economy.

The energy transition is a challenge, but it might be transformed into an opportunity if the efforts of businesses, governments, and society unite.

For those lagging, it is crucial to learn from the trends and experience of the front-runners: adopting best practices in energy-efficient construction, integrating local RES, and expanding electric transport infrastructure.

We are open to feedback: share your thoughts, experiences and questions, write to [email protected] Together we can make sustainable development in the Arctic part of a common path to a green future.