Russia Progressing in Sustainability League

Russia is outpacing the US UK and Germany in securing its population's long-term economic and environmental future according to a new study. Economists at Germany's Allianz Insurance and Dresdner Bank have ranked Russia sixth in an 18-country index of sustainability of fiscal and ecological development ahead of the UK (placed seventh) Germany (ninth) and the US (17th).The result � described as unexpected by the report's authors on Wednesday � came about because of Russia's huge oil and gas reserves and the sharp rise in energy prices in recent years which have boosted significantly the country's finances.