Russia, Systemic Transformation and the Concept of Sustainable Development

During the 1990s, the Russian government was responsible for a range of legislative and policy initiatives with regard to sustainable development. Although many of the initiatives are similar to those found in other countries, it is clear that Russia's interpretation of the sustainability concept is influenced by its own cultural heritage. Importantly, Russia's wider social, economic and political problems continue to undermine the effective implementation of these initiatives. Furthermore, there are signs that environmental concerns within the government have receded in recent years.