"Energy consumption is growing rapidly and it is a really challenge we have to face… CO2 emissions in cities comprise almost 80 percent of the [total global CO2 emissions] and it's a challenge. We see that this tendency will continue," he said during the ENES 2016 International Energy Efficiency and Energy Development Forum in Moscow.
He added that the biggest potential to develop energy efficiency was in developing countries where only 30-40 percent of the total population was living in cities but their energy consumption was growing at a greater speed compared with developed countries where there is no increase.
According to the minister, Moscow joined the ranks of leading cities in development and use of smart technologies in its infrastructure along with Shanghai, Singapore, Verona and Amsterdam.
