A new study says the Arctic must be off limits to oil and natural-gas extraction if the world is to meet a goal of keeping global temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius.
The study published on January 8 in the journal Nature identified which of the planet's fossil fuel reserves must be left unburned to keep the temperature increases within that limit.
It says that includes all oil and gas in the Arctic, which Russia sees as a promising source of hydrocarbons that are key sources of income for its energy-reliant economy.
Worldwide, the study says 33 percent of oil reserves, 49 percent of gas reserves, and 82 percent of coal reserves must be left alone to reach the goal.
That includes 94 percent of the coal reserves and half the oil reserves in the former Soviet republics.
In the Middle East, it says 61 percent of the gas reserves and 38 percent of the oil reserves must not be burned.