Determination of natural assets of territorial communities: theoretical discourse

Abstract

The paper determines the natural assets of territorial communities and reveals their components in the context of domestic legislation. Scientific approaches to the specified problem in domestic and western scientific thought are developed. The essence of the concept «natural assets» is revealed and their main features – the presence of the identified owner, active manager and user; cost; Legal Status; economic return are defined. The relationship between the categories «natural assets», «natural resources» and «natural resource potential» are established. The main difference between natural resources as the asset of territorial community and other types of assets – the need for dual approach to their management: to generate income, ensure community development and in the interests of all stakeholder groups; in order to preserve the natural environment is revealed. The scientific approach to natural resource management with the participation of local communities, which is based on the principles of subsidiarity, sustainability, fairness, accountability, efficiency, activity, adaptability, environmental responsibility, inclusiveness is analyzed. This approach has the following common features: decentralization of powers to manage natural assets; reconciling the interests of stakeholders and opportunities for efficient of natural resources use; combination of environmental and socio-economic goals in the process of natural asset management; development of institutions for increasing decision-making efficiency in the field of natural asset management at the community level; stakeholders education and notification. Scientific approaches to the systematization of natural assets of territorial communities in terms of stakeholders groups (by ownership of the asset, the possibility of access to the asset and competition in their use) are studied. The expediency of classifying stakeholders as natural assets of territorial communities by their interests is substantiated. The peculiarities of the use/utilization and possession of natural resources in accordance with the legislative acts regulating natural resource relations in Ukraine are revealed.