On March 18, 2026, Maria Girich and Оlga Magomedova, researchers at the Gaidar Institute’s International Best Practices Analysis Department, participated in the 25th International Scientific and Practical Conference Smirnov Readings. The event served as a platform for discussing pressing issues in the fields of regional and sectoral economics, finance, and law, where experts from the Gaidar Institute presented their research and proposals for improving regulatory mechanisms in the fields of ecology and labor market.
During academic discussion, Maria Girich presented a concept for developing the carbon credit market as an effective tool for financing carbon neutrality. The presentation noted that one of the priority scenarios could involve expanding the emissions trading pilot program to new regions, particularly those with the poorest air quality. This approach would allow climate mechanisms to be used not only to reduce greenhouse gases but also to indirectly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants that affect public health, including sulfur dioxide, benzopyrene, and hydrogen sulfide. The researcher paid particular attention to the idea of introducing geographical restrictions, under which carbon offsetting and emissions trading could take place only between neighboring regions actually affected by emissions. This would improve the system’s environmental effectiveness and eliminate the risk of a situation where emissions are generated in one region but offset in another that does not experience a comparable environmental burden.
Additionally, it was proposed to limit the types of climate projects whose carbon credits can be counted toward quota exceeding, in order to direct investments toward sectors most in need of modernization, such as the coal industry, metallurgy, and the housing and utilities sector. Support measures under consideration also include providing tax incentives for companies implementing climate projects, which could reduce the burden on companies and increase the appeal of participating in the emissions trading system.
Olga Magomedova gave a presentation “Factors Contributing to the Labor Shortage in Russia’s Tourism Industry” as part of an academic discussion on the challenges facing the hospitality industry. The researcher noted that a persistent labor shortage, accompanied by high staff turnover, remains a key problem for the industry. According to her, Russia’s tourism sector currently faces a shortage of more than 100,000 employees, primarily frontline staff. The expert emphasized that this shortage is exacerbated by the low attractiveness of employment in tourism due to relatively low wages, a lack of clear career prospects, and unstable working conditions. The seasonal nature of employment also has a significant impact, resulting in the tourism industry holding a weaker competitive position compared to other sectors that generate demand for low-skilled workers, such as logistics and call centers.
The presentation devoted particular attention to the issue of educational programs failing to meet employers’ requirements. Olga Magomedova noted that only 15–20% of graduates in specialized fields find employment in their chosen field, while employers are often forced to provide additional training to young professionals due to a lack of practical skills. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that a comprehensive solution to the problem is needed, including the development of practice-oriented education and strengthened cooperation between employers and educational institutions to accelerate the influx of new personnel into the tourism sector.