President Dmitry Medvedev has unveiled a rather curious environment plan to put greenhouse gas emissions back to the level they were at in 1990 – which essential means a 30% increase.  At least they are talking about the issue, point out some environmentalists with diminished expectations….

From the Wall Street Journal:

As countries announce their emissions targets in advance of the talks in Copenhagen this December, there’s been some maneuvering on this issue. The Australian delegation has proposed a plan that would allow each country to submit its own schedule for reducing emissions, effectively allowing them to choose their own baseline year. Japan would like to use 2005, because the country’s emissions have been creeping up in recent years.

All this, of course, has to do with politics. Nations that commit to emissions targets want other countries to try just as hard. It’s easier for politicians to sell belt-tightening at home if it appears that everyone in the international community is shouldering an equal burden.

And on that front, Russia’s plan looks like a dud.