SIBUR has become the first company not directly involved in the Sakhalin carbon trading experiment to successfully complete a major carbon unit sale. In a groundbreaking transaction, SIBUR sold approximately 8,400 carbon units to two Sakhalin-based enterprises. These carbon units will allow the buyers to meet the regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emission quotas allocated to them under the Sakhalin Carbon Trading Experiment. The deal is currently the largest of its kind for offsetting GHG emissions in the history of the program.

The carbon units were generated through a cslimate initiative implemented at Sibur-Neftekhim, one of SIBUR’s production sites. The purchasers of these carbon units are Intelligent Communal Systems Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Intelligent Communal Systems Korsakov, two utility companies operating in the Sakhalin region. The deal was structured with the assistance of DOM.RF JSC, which acted as a transaction agent and facilitator.

Nadezhda Galaktionova, head of sustainable development and climate solutions at SIBUR, emphasized the broader significance of the transaction. “The Sakhalin experiment demonstrates that effective regulatory mechanisms exist to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. “At the same time, companies have access to efficient solutions. The purchase of carbon units to comply with emissions quotas not only supports regulatory goals but also drives demand in the emerging Russian carbon market.”

Maria Alferova, CEO of the management company overseeing Intelligent Communal Systems, provided insights into the operational challenges that motivated the purchase. “Our subsidiaries in Sakhalin are implementing a wide-ranging program to modernize the heating infrastructure in the Korsakov and Dolinsky districts. Last year, we built 13 out of 20 planned gas boiler houses,” Alferova said. “However, due to the technical nature of the transition process, it is not possible to shut down all old coal boiler houses immediately. As a result, we cannot yet meet the target minimum emission levels. By acquiring carbon units, we are able to maintain a balance in emissions during this critical transition phase, while continuing to meet our obligations to local residents and the regional government.”

Marina Slutskaya, director of sustainable development and international cooperation at DOM.RF JSC, noted that this deal marks a key milestone for the Sakhalin Carbon Trading Experiment. “This year, for the first time, regional participants used the mechanism of carbon offsetting to meet their quotas,” she said. “DOM.RF acted as an agent for Intelligent Communal Systems, facilitating the purchase and offset of carbon units. The current infrastructure allows such transactions to proceed quickly and efficiently, which is essential for the continued success of the Sakhalin initiative.”

SIBUR produces carbon units by implementing both industrial energy-efficiency projects and nature-based climate solutions. The company has completed more than 25 similar transactions, helping clients and partners reduce or entirely eliminate their carbon footprints across various operations, products and events.

This latest transaction underscores the growing maturity of the Russian carbon market and illustrates how collaborative approaches between industry, government, and financial institutions can drive meaningful climate action at the regional level.