NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 31. /TASS/. Global warming is unfolding in Russia faster than in the world and the average air temperature in the country has grown by a half-degree in the past decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a G20 summit via a videoconference on Sunday.

"Let me note that the average annual air temperature in Russia is growing faster than in the world by more than 2.5 times. Over ten years, it has grown by more than a half-degree," the Russian leader said.

The issues of climate change are of paramount importance. For its part, Russia is experiencing the consequences of global warming, Putin pointed out.

"We are facing both desertization and soil erosion. We are especially concerned over the warming of the permafrost that accounts for a considerable part of our territory," the Russian leader said.

Russia is actively participating in the international efforts for the conservation of the climate, the head of state said.

In particular, it honors all its commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and consistently implements the policy of cutting net greenhouse gas emissions and is taking steps to raise the energy efficiency of its economy and upgrade the electric power sector and reduce associated gas emissions in oil extraction, the Russian leader said.