On Friday, the Kremlin said that Russia will not take a part in the annual global Earth Hour event this weekend after the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was labeled a “foreign agent” by Russia.
The action was taken as Russia smashes down on most foreign-linked groups since its war in Ukraine, including climate-orientated organizations. Earth Hour prompts people worldwide to switch off their lights for an hour (60 minutes) to grow awareness about environmental issues.
This year, we took the decision to hold back from this event. It is because they have become a foreign agent.”
Dmitry Peskov-Kremlin spokesman
The Russian justice ministry contained the WWF’s Russia branch on its list of foreign agents earlier this month. The global environmental advocacy group has worked in Russia since 1994. The foreign agent label has Soviet-era connotations and has been widely used against Kremlin critics.
Before the Kremlin’s statement, WWF in Russia said on its website that global Earth Hour will only take place online this year because of its new position.
The organization said it will lawfully challenge the foreign agent’s decision. But it also urged warning asking supporters not to use the WWF symbol as we are anxious about our allies and associates.
More than 60 environmental groups have signed a petition to President Vladimir Putin this month to reverse the WWF foreign agent designation. They said the organization is “apolitical” and has “successfully” worked on its task to protect the Russian environment since the 1990s.
We are convinced that this decision will have a negative impact on the preservation of the unique nature of our country and believe it should be reversed.”
Environmental groups added
