Aim. The article aims to study the dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions as they depend on the type and structure of economic activity in the Russian Federation (RF); to identify the impact of the pandemic and its consequences on the energy sector development and to justify the need to switch to renewable energy to ensure the sustainable economic development of Russia. Materials and Methods. In the process of conducting this study, statistical methods of analysis, system analysis method and the comparative method of analysis were used. Results. The results of the study have confirmed the need to switch to renewable energy in order to ensure the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment (each unit of energy generated by RES will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50‐200 %). The reason is that the economy sector accounts for almost 79% of such emissions, which makes the transition to renewable energy relevant to ensuring the sustainable economic development of Russia. Conclusion. Achievement of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 7 «Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy Sources for All» in the context of a pandemic and its consequences necessitates energy sector reform. This could be achieved by increasing the share of renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the environment and, accordingly, to prevent further climate change, one of the main causes of not only environmental but also of economic damage.