Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexander Krutikov spoke about substantial changes in the Arctic climate at the 5th international conference, The Arctic: Shelf Projects and Sustainable Development of the Regions (Arctic 2020) held in Moscow. He noted that the ministry would prepare a climate change adaptation plan for the Arctic in 2020.

"In accordance with a Government decision, we are to prepare a climate change adaptation plan for the Russian Arctic regions this year. We will not take a formal approach to this. We need to formulate a practical response to these challenges," Krutikov said.

The deputy minister added that climate change is degrading permafrost and leading to fires, floods and changes in the flora and fauna.

"We have started working on a national system to monitor the degradation of permafrost and prevent risks," Krutikov noted. He also urged his colleagues to contribute to the ministry's efforts.