Non-government environmental initiatives in the Caspian Sea in the post-Soviet period

Abstract

The subject of the study is non-government initiatives and projects in the field of environmental protection in the Caspian Sea in the post-Soviet period of history. The purpose of the article is to characterize and evaluate these initiatives and projects, as well as to determine the conditions for their progressive development within the framework of the Caspian agenda. Author uses such methods of historical research as retrospective analysis, comparative analysis, document analysis, as well as a systematic approach and the method of expert assessments. The author analyzes the following aspects of the topic: changes in the reaction of the active part of the society of the Caspian countries to environmental problems in the post-Soviet period, the formation of ecological consciousness and ecological culture of the post-Soviet Caspian societies, the role of non-government initiatives and projects in the formation of ecological culture and country environmental policy, awareness of the active part of the societies of the countries of the region of the key problems of environmental protection in the Caspian Sea. As a result of the analysis, the key shortcomings of environmental policy in the civil sector of the Caspian countries are identified, which is the novelty of the study and the author's contribution to the study of the topic. According to the results of the study, the development of non-government initiatives in the field of environmental protection is possible provided that a unified coordinated environmental policy is implemented in the Caspian region, public control is strengthened, criteria for the effectiveness of volunteer initiatives are determined, formats for full-fledged interaction of non-government structures of the five Caspian littoral countries are developed, a unified environmental monitoring system and a common information and media space are created. It is stated that the role of non-government initiatives in the eco-policy in the Caspian Sea will steadily increase.