In a move to encourage the exploration for crude, Russia’s State Duma voted for tax cuts that will benefit the country’s oil producers. The decision came during a second reading of the tax bill on Wednesday.

The changes are designed to counteract increasing costs oil companies have seen in recent months that have resulted in a decline in output. Russia, the world’s second-largest exporter of oil, enjoyed a 10-year boom in the oil industry prior to stagnant growth that began in January.

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While the government of the United States might be hesitant to call climate change a significant factor in policy development, the Russian government doesn’t seem to be. A recent parliamentary council report states that it is likely the Arctic ice caps will be completely gone by 2070 and that the effects of such a drastic change must be considered in the formation of policy for the region.

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