Russia's Arctic regions could be seriously damaged by climate change unless the country takes measures to adapt to new conditions, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Sergei Donskoi told RIA Novosti.

"The bulk of Russia is located in the permafrost area. The thawing of permafrost will have a dramatic effect on oil pipelines and industrial facilities. Russia's Arctic regions could be seriously damaged by climate change unless we take measures to adapt to this," Donskoi said.

Climate change could also affect the circumpolar peoples and their traditional ways of life, including hunting animals whose population has been affected by the decreasing food potential.

"We have plans for adapting to the changing climate, and there is a chapter on adaptation in the climate doctrine. We have started implementing it by estimating industrial risks and the consequences [of climate change]. But we are yet to draft a national adaptation strategy," Donskoi said.