In late 2015, Moscow residents listed environmental issues among the three main aspects of their life and called clean air the most important element of a people-friendly urban environment. The latest opinion poll by the Russian Public Opinion Center (VTsIOM) shows that 40% of city residents consider the local environmental situation to be mostly favorable, with 42% calling it mostly unfavorable, and 14% deeming it extremely critical. In all, 39% of respondents don’t think that the environmental situation in Moscow is worse than in other major cities.

The Main City Projects opinion poll, conducted on the Active Citizen website in late 2015, shows that city residents have a high opinion of the efforts of city authorities to improve the environment.

In our previous chapters, we already discussed the influence of substandard fuel on air quality. But the situation is also influenced by the number of vehicles in the city. Therefore the creation of new pedestrian zones, cycling lanes and the introduction of metered parking also yields positive results.

Apart from industrial upgrades and measures to reduce vehicle emissions, the city continues to develop an environmental monitoring system. The city already operates 54 stationary air-quality monitoring posts that measure the amount of 26 atmospheric pollutants, including tiny particles, organic compounds, carbon monoxide and atmospheric ozone, 24 hours a day. This data is posted on the official websites of the Department for Environmental Management and Protection and the environmental watchdog Mosecomonitoring.

The city focuses on monitoring compliance with environmental standards at local industrial companies. In all, 57 industrial companies, 11 thermal power stations and 42 district thermal power stations, three waste-incinerating plants and the Moscow Refinery are currently equipped with local environmental monitoring systems. Local environmental monitoring is an effective method for detecting unauthorized, burst releases and emergency emissions, especially at night. Open data also helps companies themselves to avoid unjustified accusations of violating environmental standards.

The improving city environment is linked with Moscow Government measures to upgrade the quality of air, water, soil and other aspects of the environment. The city’s draft Environmental Strategy lists various parameters due to be achieved by 2030. The document has already been coordinated with city residents and experts. The Moscow Government plans to approve this document before the end of 2016.

International programs allow big cities to exchange experience in the area of environmental initiatives. For example, Moscow is involved in the work of theC40 Cities Climate Leadership Group which aims to monitor global climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moscow’s environmental agencies view this as an opportunity to conduct open dialogue with the European Union and to improve the image of the city by implementing one of the most advanced projects to improve environmental protection standards and to create a people-friendly environment.