Russia is a large country, in population and area, spanning from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia. It is one of the top powers in the world and is a highly-developed country with a powerful military and a strong economy. It is a leading producer of oil and natural gas, and also relies on its large service sector to bolster the economy.
Russia’s large industrial sector has caused major environmental pollution issues for the country. This article will cover these areas of pollution in the country:
Overview of Pollution in Russia
In Yale University’s EPI survey of 2020, Russia ranked at 58 out of 180 total countries evaluated with a score of 50.5 out of 100 possible points.
Download Full Report: Russia EPI Country Profile
Russia tends to rank slightly above world averages, and well above regional averages in the metrics evaluated by the EPI survey. Russia is just above average in areas like air and water quality but falls behind in land pollution due to a very low solid waste management score.
Air Pollution in Russia
The EPI survey of 2020 showed that Russia ranked at 47 of 180 countries in overall air quality, with a score of 54.1 of 100 total points. This finding indicates that Russia tends to have healthier air quality compared to most countries. Russia’s lowest air quality indicator was found to be in particulate matter (PM2.5), meaning that much of Russia’s pollution is due to fine particulates that can be unhealthy when inhaled.
The main causes of air pollution in Russia include:
- Wildfires
- Coal-burning power plants
- Emissions from industrial manufacturing
- Vehicle emissions
Air pollution tends to be worse in cities due to the prevalence of industry, and most urban residents in Russia breathe harmful air. Air pollution in rural areas, on the other hand, is more often a result of wildfires, which are relatively common in the summer months.
Learn more about air quality standards and measurement.
Water Pollution in Russia
Russia has historically tended to have very low environmental regulations on its industrial sector to promote economic growth. However, this has led to major pollution concerns for the country. Poor water management in Russia creates pollution in both surface water as well as groundwater that rural residents access through wells.
Russia’s Water Quality
Drinking Water
- Rank: 55/180
- EPI Score: 55.7/100
Wastewater Management
- Rank: 58/180
- EPI Score: 18.5/100
As of 2011, 75% of Russia’s surface water was polluted, and only 50% of tap water is drinkable. This is consistent with the EPI’s findings giving Russia a low drinking water score, and a very low wastewater management score. Since then, Russia has increased water management laws slightly, but chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals are still common contaminants of Russian water.
Learn more about water pollution standards and how they’re measured.
Land Pollution in Russia
Toxic runoff from industry, along with other practices, has also contributed to land pollution Major causes of land pollution in Russia include:
- Logging
- Agriculture
- Acid rain produced by industrial chemicals
- Soviet-era radioactive contamination
Vast agricultural lands and few government limitations on logging have meant intense soil pollution for millions of acres of land in Russia. Along with chemical pollution, Russia has also had to deal with radioactive soil from Soviet-era Chernobyl, which is incredibly harmful to humans, plants, and animals.
Solid Waste Management
- Ranking: 122/180
- EPI Score: 3.2/100
Ecosystem Services
- Ranking: 113/180
- EPI Score: 28.6
Russia has a very poor solid waste management system, according to the EPI study, with a score of only 3.2. This score indicates that very little waste in the country is controlled in a way that prevents harm to the environment.
Key Takeaways
Here’s the big picture of pollution in Russia:
- Overall EPI Ranking: 58/180
- Air Pollution: Poor air quality especially in cities due to large industrial sector and vehicle emissions.
- Air Pollution Rank: 47/180
- Water Pollution: Most groundwater and surface water in Russia is polluted by industrial and agricultural runoff.
- Drinking Water Rank: 55/180
- Wastewater Management Rank: 58/180
- Land Pollution: Logging, agriculture, and poor solid waste management have contributed to land pollution in Russia, along with radioactive material contributing to soil pollution.
- Solid waste management rank: 122/180
- Ecosystem Services rank: 113/180