Original paper

UDC 622.85 c N.V. Nikitina¹, A.A. Sherstobitova², 2026
ISSN 0041-5790 (Print) • ISSN 2412-8333 (Online) • Ugol' – Russian Coal Journal, 2026, №1, pp. 106-110
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18796/0041-5790-2026-1-106-110

STRATEGIES FOR MAKING THE COAL INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND THE RUSSIAN SITUATION

Authors

N.V. Nikitina¹, A.A. Sherstobitova²

¹ Samara State University of Economics, Samara, 443010, Russian Federation
² Tolyatti State University, Tolyatti, 445020, Russian Federation e-mail: nikitina_nv@mail.ru

Authors Information

Nikitina N.V. – PhD (Economics), Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Enterprise Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Economics, Organization, and Enterprise Development Strategy, Samara State University of Economics, Samara, 443010, Russian Federation, e-mail: nikitina_nv@mail.ru
Sherstobitova A.A. – PhD (Economics), Associate Professor, Head of the Master’s Department (Business Programmes), Institute of Finance, Economy and Management, Togliatti State University, Togliatti, 445020, Russian Federation, e-mail: ya_anya@mail.ru

Abstract

The article analyzes strategies for making the coal industry more environmentally friendly in conditions of the global energy transition and strengthening requirements towards the environmental sustainability. The study focuses on a comparative analysis of approaches to revamping the coal industry in different countries, with an emphasis on their applicability in the Russian conditions. The authors systematize technological and institutional measures implemented to reduce the carbon footprint of operations and to improve the economic efficiency of the environmental initiatives. Particular attention is paid to the sources of financing for projects to make the industry “greener.” Key barriers are identified to the introduction of low-carbon technologies in Russia. A conclusion is made that revamping of the coal industry in Russia requires a comprehensive approach that would combine technological solutions, institutional reforms, and development of mechanisms for financing environmental projects.

Keywords

Coal industry, greening, decarbonization, carbon capture and storage technologies, coal chemistry.

References

Порфирьев Б.Н. «Зеленый» фактор экономического роста в мире и в России. http: ///C:/Users/1/Downloads/zelenyy-faktorekonomicheskogo-rosta-v-mire-i-v-rossii.pdf. Porfiriev B.N. “Green” factor of economic growth in the world and in Russia. (In Russ.).
Musailova K.G. Trends in the global “green” economy and prospects for “green” finance in Russia. Russian Journal of Entrepreneurship. 2018;19(6):1765. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.18334/rp.19.6.39196.
Luneva E.I. Overview and current state of transition to a “green” economy in various countries of the world. Upravlencheskij uchyot. 2023;(9):242-249. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.25806/uu92023242-249.
Bayakin S.G., Zalikhanov M.C. Modernaspects of coal-hydrogen power. Sibirskij aerokosmicheskij zhurnal. 2010;(6). https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/modernaspects-of-coal-hydrogen-power.
Soldatova N.F. The practice of using «green camouflage» technology in marketing and consumer protection. Evrazijskaya advokatura. 2024;(4). https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/praktika-primeneniyatehnologii-zelenogo-kamuflyazha-v-marketinge-i-zaschita-pravpotrebiteley. (In Russ.).
Цатхланова И. Устойчивое развитие и зеленые технологии: как технологии могут помочь в решении экологических проблем. 2025. https://pakhotin.org/technologies/ustojchivoe-razvitie-izelenye-tehnologii/. Tsatkhlanova I. Sustainable development and green technologies: how technology can help solve environmental problems. 2025. (In Russ.).
Konovalova M.E., Abuzov A. Geopolitical crises, the energy sector and the financial capital market. E3S Web of Conferences: International Scientific and Practical Conference “Development and Modern Problems of Aquaculture” (AQUACULTURE 2022), Divnomorskoe village, Krasnodar region, Russia, 26 september 2022. Vol. 381. EDP Sciences: EDP Sciences, 2023. P. 01042. DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202338101042.
Liu Y., Huang H., Mbanyele W. et al. Does the issuance of green bonds nudge environmental responsibility engagements? Evidence from the Chinese green bond market. Financ. Innov. 2024;(10):92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-024-00620-8.
Уголь может стать драйвером водородной энергетики. НИА «Экология». https://nia.eco/2023/05/26/63943/. Coal can become a driver of hydrogen energy. NIA "Ecology". (In Russ.).
Технологии по улавливанию, хранению и использованию углерода (CCUS) – технологическая основа декарбонизации тяжелой промышленности в РФ. https://www.skoltech.ru/app/data/uploads/2022/11/CCUS-Skolteh-2022-11-10.pdf. Technologies for carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) – the technological basis for decarbonization of heavy industry in the Russian Federation. (In Russ.).
Новая политика США: от сланцевой нефти и угля – к возобновляемым источникам энергии. Аналитический центр при Правительстве Российской Федерации. https://ac.gov.ru/news/page/novaa-politika-ssa-ot-slancevoj-nefti-i-ugla---k-vozobnovlaemymistocnikam-energii-26831. New US policy: from shale oil and coal to renewable energy sources. Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation. (In Russ.).
Несмотря на приверженность США к «зеленому» переходу, главными источниками энергии остаются уголь и газ (12 сентября 2024). Monocle.ru. https://monocle.ru/2024/09/12/ssha-zeleniy/. Despite US commitment to a "green" transition, the main energy sources remain coal and gas (September 12, 2024). Monocle.ru. (In Russ.).
Долгосрочная программа развития угольной промышленности России на период до 2030 года. https://rosugol.ru/upload/pdf/prup_2030.pdf. Long-term program for the development of the Russian coal industry until 2030. (In Russ.).
Наилучшие доступные технологии 2025. https://www.trudohrana.ru/article/104497-23-m10-nailuchshie-dostupnye-tehnologii-v-2023-godu. Best available technologies 2025. (In Russ.).
On revised Russian coal industry development program for the period until 2035. Gornaya promyshlennost'. 2023. https://mining-media.ru/ru/article/ekonomic/16003-o-novoj-redaktsii-programmyrazvitiya-ugol-noj-promyshlennosti-rossii-na-period-do-2035-g. (In Russ.).
Инвестиции в использование CCUS в электроэнергетике выросли втрое. Новости: 14 июня 2024. https://www.c-o-k.ru/market_news/investicii-v-ispolzovanie-ccus-v-elektroenergetikevyrosli-vtroe. Investments in the use of CCUS in the electric power industry have tripled. News: June 14, 2024. (In Russ.).
The Just Transition Mechanism – European Commission. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/finance-and-green-deal/just-transition-mechanism_en.
АО «СУЭК»: с заботой об экологии и окружающей среде. Журнал «Промышленник Сибири». https://prom-siberia.ru/industry/mining-industry/ao-suek-s-zabotoy-ob-ekologii-i-okruzhayuscheysrede/. JSC “SUEK”: caring for the ecology and the environment. Journal “Promyshlennik Sibiri”. (In Russ.).
«Кузбассразрезуголь» за год увеличил экологические инвестиции вдвое. РИА «Кузбасс». https://kuzbass.media/2023/12/11/31658.html/. “Kuzbassrazrezugol” doubled its environmental investments in a year. RIA “Kuzbass”. (In Russ.).
Сколько стоят технологии CCS? https://tekface.ru/2021/12/08/skolko-stoyat-tehnologii-ccs/. How much do CCS technologies cost? (In Russ.).
Одной из задач, стоящих перед Кузбассом, является развитие углехимии. Министерство промышленности Кузбасса. https://xn--42-glcttbgibhldy.xn--p1ai/news/detail/odnoy-iz-zadachstoyashchikh-pered-kuzbassom-yavlyaetsya-razvitie-uglekhimii. One of the tasks facing Kuzbass is the development of coal chemistry. Ministry of Industry of Kuzbass. (In Russ.).
Цена квот на выбросы углерода в Европе значительно снизилась в начале года. https://gmk.center/news/cena-kvot-na-vybrosyugleroda-v-evrope-znachitelno-snizilas-v-nachale-goda/. The price of carbon emission quotas in Europe has dropped significantly at the beginning of the year. (In Russ.).
Andreeva O.V., Sonina A.O. Russian companies ESG strategy amidst sanctions. Sotsial'noe predprinimatel'stvo i korporativnaya sotsial'naya otvetstvennost'. 2022;3(2):103-112. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.18334/social.3.2.114937.
Как устроен углеродный рынок и зачем нужны углеродные единицы. https://journal.sovcombank.ru/esg/rinok-so2-zachemprodayut-i-pokupayut-uglerodnie-edinitsi. How the carbon market works and why carbon units are needed. (In Russ.).