Systematic evaluation of environmental and economic effectiveness of the best available technologies: Regional dimension

Abstract

The paper considers the effects of changes in legislation regulating the nature protection activities of enterprises based on best available technologies (BATs). A hierarchical classification of the most important factors that determine the level of eco-economic effectiveness of BATs is proposed. The interaction of these factors is shown, and the type of metrics used at this level is presented. The effectiveness of BATs is analyzed from the standpoint of how regional natural factors impact the technology, with case studies from the coal, oil, and gas industries as vital areas of nature protection activity. Studies on the replacement of existing technologies with BATs are summarized in order to reduce damage to natural complexes of Siberian coal-mining regions using preventive damage assessment methodologies. It is concluded that the specifics of the regional natural background indisputably affect the amount of this reduction and BAT effectiveness. It is found that the greatest environmental effect is possible for the coal mines of southern Yakutia, the Far East, and the Kuznetsk Basin. It is shown that achievement of design BAT effectiveness in the coal, oil, and gas industries largely depends on the availability and proper use of basic elements of the eco-economic management system, especially environmental impact assessment and monitoring. Recommendations on the use of sustainable development indicators to measure the impact of natural factors on the BAT effectiveness are given.