THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment as a tool to prevent the negative impact of economic objects was initiated in response to the challenges that arose in the «nature-society-economy» system (NSES). Today, the interaction of society and nature is manifested through the economy, in particular, in construction, reconstruction, technical retrofitting, expansion, redevelopment of various economic facilities, which is inevitably accompanied by changes in parameters, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the environment. Afterwards, it could potentially cause damage to the environment. This makes environmental safety, environmental protection, rational use and reproduction of natural resources necessary.
 Understanding the system as interconnected components that acquire the characteristics of the whole, as opposed to a set of components, determines the need to consider the environmental consequences of the activity from the perspective of the system, which is formed on the basis of natural resource potential. Consideration of issues related to the process of economic activity, the peculiarities of the functioning of economic facilities from the standpoint of the prospects of socio-economic development of the region, country or through the prism of economic indicators was disadvantageous. Economic indicators served as a basis for the analysis of the relationship in the «society-economy» system and were assessed at the level of meeting the needs of the population through the category of demand and efficiency of the factory that provided supply. However, the environmental aspects of the factories' activities were removed from the equation, especially in the absence of legislative regulation of the decision-making processes on economic activities that may have a significant impact on the environment, taking into account governmental, public and private interests.
 Systematic analysis as a category is reflected and applied in science, economics, management (when making decisions based on the fundamental concept of «system»). The founder of the general theory of systems K.L.von Bertalanffy defined a «system» as a set of interacting elements that are in a certain relationship between themselves and the external environment. The interaction between the system and the external environment is realized through input and output streams, which combine nature, society and economy (production, economics). Thus, systematic analysis in the process of environmental impact assessment is a set of methods, means of implementing a systematicatic approach in the preparation and justification of decisions on the implementation of planned activities.
 Today, systematic analysis most fully determines the activities of authorized government authorities. EIA department employees of regional administrations analyze project materials for compliance with the requirements of the latest environmental legislation and thus ensure compliance with the commitments of the state regarding «nature» and «society». To this end, the Law of Ukraine on EIA also provides for public participation, which can influence decision-making through comments and suggestions on planned activities.
 To implement a systematic approach in the NSES EIA employees of regional administrations analyze project materials from the standpoint of balance of environmental and economic interests, so only on the basis of systematic analysis decisions can be made on the introduction of planned activities that will ensure the implementation of the goal of environmental impact assessment.
 Economic agents are less likely to implement a systematic analysis of the planned project for many reasons. This state of affairs is the result of consideration of the project by the economic agents at the level of the «economy» component outside the NSES. The project of the planned activity pursues private economical interests which can even be in a fairway of programs of regional social and economic development of the region, but at the same time neglects balance of economic and ecological interests. The latter provides for the minimization of damage to the environment, the rational use of natural resources of the territory during the implementation of planned activities, which requires consideration of the relationship between the economy and nature in the NSES. Environmental interest also includes the need to ensure a safe environment for living and health while carrying out the activities.
 Key words: environmental impact assessment, planned activity, system, systematic approach, systematic analysis.