Air Pollution in the Russian Federation

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on: (1) causes of air pollution within Russia; (2) Russian efforts to reduce pollution; and (3) U.S. government assistance to Russia and obstacles to promoting U.S. trade with and investment in Russia. GAO found that: (1) the production and processing of fossil fuels have been significant contributors to air pollution within Russia; (2) the Russian government does not have the financial resources to purchase environmental technology at the expense of urgently needed food, medical, and oil production supplies; (3) to promote energy efficiency and reduce pollution, U.S. government agencies have initiated programs in Russia; and (4) activities to promote U.S. trade with Russia and investment in environmental technology have been limited because of obstacles posed by economic and political conditions within Russia.