Green groups blame Russia drought on global warming

* Greenpeace says drought compounded by unusually dry 2009

* Group hopes heatwave will lead to cut in emissions

* Russian weather service says warming not proved yet

By Conor Humphries

MOSCOW, July 20 (Reuters) - Environmental groups said on Monday global warming was to blame for Russia's worst drought in decades and expressed hope this would persuade Russia to cut its carbon emissions, among the world's highest.

Since late June, central parts of European Russia have suffered scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the shade. A farmers' group said the heat had destroyed crops in an area the size of Portugal.

The drought and heatwave have dominated state-run media for weeks but many Russians remain sceptical about climate change. Green groups say the apathy has allowed the government to avoid tough measures to cut carbon emissions.

"The heatwave of the past two months is a consequence of climate change and Greenpeace experts have found evidence of this," the organisation said in a statement. "The government of Russia, one way or another, will have to take measures to combat the effects of climate change."