Environmental Policy Formation Research Articles

STATE POLICY IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SPHERE: A SAFE COMPONENT

The article examines the relationship between state policy, the environmental sphere, and security. It was determined that the main problem is the development and effective implementation of the state environmental policy, which would ensure sustainable development and environmental safety, taking into account modern environmental challenges. It is emphasized that environmental policy can be integrated into various spheres of social life (economy, social policy, education and health). It has been confirmed that issues of state policy in the environmental sphere require the development of an integrated approach, which will include legislative regulation, scientific and research activities, education and public involvement. The connections between the state policy in the environmental sphere and security (connection with the health and well-being of the population; risks of environmental pollution of air, water and soil; the impact of environmental policy on energy security) have been studied as an important factor that contributes to social stability, strengthens trust to the authorities and raises public awareness of environmental issues, the active participation of the public in the formation and implementation of environmental policy is recognized. The legislative field regarding environmental policy is characterized and the root causes of environmental problems in Ukraine are listed. Environmental risks associated with the conduct of military operations are described. Data from the official resource of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine "EkoZagroza" regarding and impact on the environment are given. The role of public involvement work and educational campaigns aimed at raising citizens' awareness of environmental problems and the need to solve them has been defined. The importance of global environmental challenges and their impact on human health, the economy and the stability of society is revealed. The need to form an integrated approach to environmentally caused diseases in the context of safety is emphasized. The need to involve a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions, the scientific community, the business sector and civil society, is emphasized. Directions for increasing the effectiveness of state policy in the environmental sphere are presented and their characteristics are given.

Place and Role of Environmental Communication in Modern Environmental Policy

The issue of climate change and its impact on the sustainable development of countries and entire continents has become a key "agenda" in recent years. At the site of the United Nations (UN), international documents have been adopted, which are supported by the majority of states. They rely on them in the preparation and implementation of the national environmental policy, paying considerable attention to communication with the key subjects of the relationship. The purpose of this study is to analyze the place and role of environmental communications in the formation and implementation of environmental policies of states. To do this, the author uses the method of comparative analysis of the environmental policies of countries included in the implementation of the modern climate agenda (USA, EU, China, Russia). Results: in the practical part of the study, the author studies government strategies and laws on climate change issues, considering environmental policy from the point of view of the communication process. The key message, the main subjects of communication, mechanisms for achieving goals, tools and management structures are explored. Conclusions: Consideration of government strategies shows that climate change is at the forefront of environmental policy. And its model is formed as a reaction to the pressure of various social groups and is a consequence of eco-competitive struggle. Environmental policy is the object of environmental communication. The latter, in turn, contains two key components: regulatory and strategic, which are reflected in official documents. Achieving the strategic goals of environmental policy is possible if there are three components: economic resources, social organization and political power. The result of communication goals is to legitimize environmental policy through its approval by society. A high capacity for public participation is essential for the acceptance, credibility and sustainability of environmental programs.

Ensuring the human rights to a healthy environment: normative regulation and practice of the ECtHR

This article examines the regulatory practice and the practice of the ECtHR in ensuring the right to a healthy environment. At the present stage of humankind, the question of understanding a person as part of an ecosystem is increasingly being raised. In this regard, it is important to emphasize that the current state of international legal regulation of environmental relations strongly indicates the need for serious reforms to international environmental law, primarily in terms of increasing the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for environmental cooperation between states and creating new mechanisms for such cooperation. It has been established that environmental rights are implemented primarily through the formation of international policy and legislation, especially the EU’s strategic position on the environment. This was legally enshrined in the Treaty on the European Community, which declared the EU’s aspirations for a high degree of protection, improving the quality of the environment and people’s standard of living. Over time, this became a starting point for the environmental policy and law of the EU, and then a duty for the implementation of national environmental legislation. It is indicated that the scientific recognition and normative consolidation of environmental rights in international law are important for the development of international ideological concepts of environmental protection, based on the ideas of solving environmental problems in the interests of the individual and all humankind. This is also salient for the formation of a system of international environmental law. A striking example of an international treaty that secures environmental human rights is the Convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-​Making and Access to Justice on Environmental Issues, adopted on 25 June 1998, in Aarhus, Denmark (the Aarhus Convention). This identified three main types of environmental rights considered as important factors in the development of democracy: public access to environmental information; public participation in the decision-​making process on environmental issues; public access to justice on environmental issues. These rights are implemented primarily through the formation of international environmental policy and international environmental legislation, especially the EU’s strategic position on the environment. This was legally enshrined in the Treaty on the European Community, which declared the EU’s aspirations for a high degree of protection, improving the quality of the environment and people’s standard of living. Over time, it became a starting point for the environmental policy and law of the EU, and then a duty for the implementation of national environmental legislation.

Legal support for an environmentally balanced system of natural resource management in terms of European integration of Ukraine

Legal support for an environmentally balanced system of natural resource management in terms of European integration of Ukraine

Environmental movements in a material world. A relational perspective on single-use plastic in Penzance, UK

In the discursive battle about the big and important ideas, some topics are considered more important than others and more likely to mobilize society. More recently, marine plastic pollution has become a key topic for environmental movements. In this study, we aimed to contribute to a more detailed understanding of how specific issues of sustainability are brought forth. Conceptually, we argue that recourse to relational theories from science and technology studies might help to strengthen the conceptualization of social movement research. By drawing on the concept of “boundary objects”, we extend the range of social movement approaches in order to better understand how the process of framing is put to work materially. The focus on boundary objects can therefore explain the selective formation of environmental discourses and policies when applied to the field of environmental protection and sustainability.

Features of the formation and implementation of the environmental policy of electric power enterprises

The article is devoted to the study of tools for the formation and implementation of the environmental policy of electric power enterprises. Global climate change, caused by the negative impact of industrial activities on the environment, can cause more damage to the economy, even if production processes do not change. This assumption implies that optimal environmental policies can help reduce the intensity of environmental pollution. Optimal environmental policies allow environmental damage with greater consumption of goods and less pollution. Power generation enterprises are the sources of the following factors affecting the environment: emissions of pollutants into the air; discharges of pollutants into water bodies; disposal of production and consumption waste; electromagnetic radiation; noise. The need to develop and implement the environmental policy of electric power enterprises is due to the need to overcome the consequences of the negative impact of the production activities of energy companies on the environment. One of the main conditions for the development of an effective environmental policy is the analysis of tools for the formation and implementation of environmental policy by electric power enterprises. The article presents the main features and problems of the formation and implementation of the environmental policy of electric power enterprises in modern conditions. due to the need to overcome the consequences of the negative impact of the production activities of energy companies on the environment. One of the main conditions for the development of an effective environmental policy is the analysis of tools for the formation and implementation of environmental policy by enterprises of the electric power industry. The article presents the main features and problems of the formation and implementation of the environmental policy of electric power enterprises in modern conditions. due to the need to overcome the consequences of the negative impact of the production activities of energy companies on the environment. One of the main conditions for the development of an effective environmental policy is the analysis of tools for the formation and implementation of environmental policy by electric power enterprises.

Organizational and economic bases for the formation of an investment project of an environmental orientation in the conditions of the advanced development of the national economy

The article develops methodological recommendations on the formation of mechanisms for state regulation of investment activity and a methodology for the formation and coordination of investment, environmental and industrial policies in the region, mechanisms for their implementation. Options for improving the economic mechanism of state regulation of investment activity of environmental orientation based on the determination of the environmental effect from the implementation of an investment project are proposed. The proposed investment project for the North Caucasus Federal District (Serevo-Kavkazsky Federal District) is based on the technology of recycling depreciated tires by mechanical grinding. The multiplicity of the project is based on the relationship with the markets of financial, labor, information, material and technical, secondary resources, as well as with the real estate market. The investment project being created will, in the process of implementation and full development, influence the market of suppliers of tires as material resources, the real estate and equipment market, since equipment will be purchased and the building will be reconstructed, thirty-six people will be attracted from the labor market, of which thirty are workers, which will serve the technological process in two shifts. Consequently, the investment project will bring not only environmental, economic, but also social effects, reducing the unemployment rate and ensuring stable wages.

History of the development of the environmental movement in Russia: political aspects

This article provides a retrospective analysis of the formation of environmental policy and the formation of the "green" political movement in Russia from the 1960s until today. The study is based on the classification of the stages of development of the domestic "green" movement, proposed by O.N. Yanitsky. The authors describe four stages in the development of the domestic environmental movement: from its inception to the crisis. The purpose of the work is to supplement the proposed by Yanitsky’s classification of a new stage in the development of “green” Russia: the article shows that this stage is associated with the creation of patriotic environmental youth non-profit organizations, as well as with the subsequent actions of the authorities, who see their own promising directions in this. In conclusion, a forecast is given that the way out of the crisis of the "green" movement in Russia is associated with the need to institutionalize the movement, in particular, to create a "green" faction in the State Duma in the future.

ДЕРЖАВНА ЕКОЛОГІЧНА ПОЛІТИКА: ПРАВОВИЙ АНАЛІЗ

The article considers the main theoretical and methodological foundations of the formation of environmental policy of the state in terms of decentralization reform and the acquisition of appropriate powers by local governments. The components of environmental policy in a democratic society are identified, namely: proper and effective system of public administration in the field of protection, inexhaustible use and reproduction of natural resources; proper, state and public supervision over the observance of the current environmental legislation and international environmental obligations of the country; appropriate environmental information policy; appropriate level of ecological expertise of ecologically dangerous projects; an appropriate system of state decision-making on environmental issues, which would provide for mandatory public involvement; proper system of responsibility of the authorities, specific officials and citizens for violation of the principles of balanced development, norms and provisions of environmental legislation; proper educational and educational activities. The analysis of the legislative acts regulating the ecological policy in general and in separate directions of realization, in particular is carried out and in the field of nature management. It is noted that Ukraine as an integral participant in the development of the world economy is gradually directs its own efforts to implement resource-saving measures. The author concludes that it is necessary to improve the current environmental legislation of Ukraine through reform system of regulations to create effective tools for implementing the concept of sustainable development, which is possible only by assistance and in the context of integration of environmental policy into the socio-economic life of society and the state.

"ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS"

"On the basis of existing standards in the field of environmental protection, the member States of the European Union are obliged to bring national legislation into line with these standards and ensure that practices comply with the goals set out in the Union’s regulations. The analysis of the formation and development of environmental policy, competence and law of the European Union gives grounds to speak about the accumulated positive experience in this area. The environmental standards and programs developed in the European Union are of interest not only for integration associations of other regions, but also for neighboring states, including near and far abroad, which are extremely interested in the development and improvement of their national environmental legislation. Relations resulting from the development of a program of action by the member States of the European Union, decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, competence and regulations of the institutions of the European Union in the field of environmental protection. The institute of responsibility in European environmental law has been analyzed in sufficient detail in the context of various aspects. The complex of political and legal aspects related to the formation and development of the policy, competence and law of the European Union in the field of environmental protection is also considered. The article consistently sets and solves the following tasks: periodization of the main stages of the formation and development of the policy and competence of the European Union in the field of environmental protection; assessment of the contribution of the member States (the so-called «greens») to the formation of the ecological legal order of the European Union; analysis of the role of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the formation and development of the competence of the European Union in the field of environmental protection. Keywords: environmental protection, European law, environmental policy, human rights, European Union."

Current Issues in the Implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

The article outlines the international standard, System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) – Central Framework, adopted by the UN in 2015 as the basis for developing 23 indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals. Statistical data from SEEA accounts provide the comprehensive assessment of environment, help identify trends and consequences of human impact on nature, serve as a tool for the formation and implementation of environmental policy in general, and help in monitoring the implementation of international obligations and recommendations including sustainable development areas.A separate section of the article covers specific features of SEEA implementation in selected countries of the world. There is an elaborate reflection of the work on the introduction of this standard to the Russian Federation, carried out by the Federal State Statistics Service. The authors believe that the need for a certain sequence of actions associated with the development and implementation of SEEA accounts gives impetus (in the short term) for the application of priority accounts, guided by the roadmap for the SEEA priority accounts implementation, approved by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation. The information base built using these accounts is necessary for conducting international comparisons, calculations of SDG indicators and green economy indicators.

Examining attention given to threats to elephant conservation on social media

AbstractAlthough social media is growing rapidly as a news source, including for disseminating conservation information, studies comparing attention given to differing threats to species on social media are almost non‐existent. As the amount of attention given to differing threats can influence what people perceive to be important and impact the formation of environmental policies, it is vital that conservationists understand which issues are being discussed online. Using elephants (Loxodonta Africana, Loxodonta cyclotis, and Elephas maximus) as test species, we conducted a content analysis of tweets about elephants posted to Twitter during 2019. According to the global conservation authority, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the most pressing threats to the conservation of wild elephant populations are habitat loss, human‐elephant conflict, and poaching, with the magnitude of each threat differing between the three species of elephants. Our Twitter analysis revealed that these major threats were infrequently discussed, with habitat loss being the most infrequently discussed (<1% of all tweets). Instead, elephant welfare issues, such as tourist elephant rides, were the most frequently discussed topic (23%). Users from non‐elephant range countries were the dominant voice on Twitter (72% of tweets with an identifiable location), with these tweets likely to discuss elephant welfare concerns and trophy hunting, which is not a threat to elephant conservation. Conversely, tweets from users from African elephant range countries (14%) were more likely to discuss human‐elephant conflict, poaching, and promote elephant tourism. Similarly, users from Asian elephant range countries (13%) were likely to discuss human‐elephant conflict and elephant tourism but unlikely to tweet about poaching. Given the relatively low representation of local stakeholders and the limited coverage of key conservation threats, there is a need to ensure that social media discussions do not overly influence decision‐makers.

Implementation of environmental policy of Ukraine in the context of circular economy

European practice has proven that all EU member states are responsible for the implementation of adopted European environmental agreements. Since 1992, the countries of the European Union have identified environmental protection as a priority for their own development. The study of the process of implementing Ukraine’s environmental policy in the context of the circular economy is gaining relevance. The purpose of the article is to study the processes of implementation of the environmental policy of Ukraine in the context of the circular economy. In the process of writing a scientific article, general scientific research methods were used: the method of theoretical generalization; categorical analysis; method of comparison; method of abstraction; grouping method; forecasting method. In the process of research, the key directions of implementation of environmental policy at the state level are given. The main aspects of the implementation of the circular economy at the regional level have been established. Three levels of formation and implementation of environmental policy in Ukraine are defined. Various tools for implementing environmental policy in the context of the circular economy are presented. It was established that in Ukraine today there is practically no development and implementation of effective mechanisms for the implementation of the state environmental policy, there are no tools for eliminating the causes of environmental problems and reducing the negative impact on the ecological sphere during the implementation of economic activities. It has been established that in the process of implementation of environmental policy, the state may have an appropriate role, either promoter, facilitator, or catalyst. Conclusions have been made regarding the importance of implementing the circular economy. The study of the implementation of the environmental policy of Ukraine in the context of the circular economy gained further development in terms of taking into account the components of the environmental policy, aspects of the circular economy and the comprehensive implementation of the environmental policy at the international, state, regional and local levels. The practical value of scientific research lies in the theoretical justification of the process of implementing environmental policy in the context of the circular economy, taking into account international experience and tools for implementing environmental policy at all levels

Triple Helix Twins: Operationalizing the Sustainability Agenda in the Northern Black Forest National Park in Germany

Abstract The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gives policy recommendations based on scientific research and agreed climate targets. We outline the concepts and requirements for implementing the sustainability goals. The Triple Helix Twin model is tested as method to analyze the governance of environmental policy formation and implementation. The model is applied to the controversial case of creating the large-scale natural area Northern Park Black Forest in Germany in the period of 2011 to 2014. The protected zone was set up employing criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN (Category II National Parks). The findings indicate that the creation of protected areas need the participation of stakeholders to address so-called wicked problems that arise between diverse social needs and science based expert knowledge. Findings contribute to the operationalization of the Triple Helix Twins (THT) model for analysing policy impact and transformational governance. We recommend to employ the Triple Helix Twins for future comparative research of the transition from high level concept to local realization.

Stages of cross-border integration of border specially protected natural areas at the junctions of the state borders of the three countries in various parts of the planet

Cross-border environmental interaction of neighboring countries implies the coordinated functioning of their border “green” frames, which unite specially protected natural areas of various types. The methodological basis of the study is the following scientific concepts: territorial economic structures of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences P.Ya. Baklanova; polarized biosphere B.B. Rodoman; ring structures V.L. Martynov; trinitarian geography A.N. Novikov. The process of integrating “green” frameworks takes place in four stages and will end with the territorial organization of cross-border radial-circular structures. On planet Earth, at the junctions of the borders of the three countries, there is a process of formation of specially protected natural areas (SPNA), which become border contact links of the Central Active Zones (CAZ) of the I.C.-B.T.-L.R. These CACs extend their influence deep into the territories of each of the three countries, involving nearby protected areas in their sphere of influence and turning them into Radial Active Zones (RAZs). RAZ, closing on the periphery through the Edge Active Zones (EAZ), form radial-annular structures. The process of transboundary radial-ring integration goes through four stages: external environmental separation; stage of outwardly isolated growth; transboundary environmental and tourist contact; the stage of mutually coordinated territorial organization of border sectors into trans-border radial-ring “green” (environmental) frameworks in the I.C.-B.T.-L.R. format. The environmentally-centric I.C.-B.T.-L.R. that Russia and its neighbors are forming are at various stages of development. In modern conditions, for the formation of cross-border environmental policy, it is extremely important to take into account the existing international experience of consistent environmental integration of countries in the form of the formation of transboundary radial-ring “green” (environmental) frameworks.

Corporate financial responsibility and company financial performance: evidence from Russia

The paper analyses two alternative theoretical interpretations the nature of Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER)-Financial Performance (FP) interconnections based on the concept, that the implementation of CER measures increases the company financial efficiency, or the alternative theory the CER strategy development can only be applicable for stable companies with sufficient financial resources. The recent empirical literature shows many inconsistencies in each of the theoretical explanations the effective environmental and company financial policy formation. There are no Russian and foreign studies explaining the environmental responsibility and financial efficiency interconnection for Russian companies. It determines the purpose of this research and the novelty of the obtained research results. We use the least squares method in order to argue that financial efficiency is a significant driver for environmental responsibility of Russian companies. We also argue that the influence of financial efficiency on environmental responsibility varies according to the ownership structure and the foreign and state participation in the company.

USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF EASTERN PODIL

The article considers the main theoretical and practical approaches to the concept of sustainable development, international approaches to the implementation of sustainable development principles, practical mechanisms for implementing its social, economic and environmental indicators, organizational and managerial aspects of environmental protection for different regions. It conducted a study of the basic provisions of the concept of sustainable development of territorial communities of Eastern Podolia in the implementation of the state strategy. The system of estimation parameters of influence of factors of external and internal environment of territorial communities on the basis of the complex approach taking into account economic, ecological and social component is offered. It was found that ecologically balanced development of territorial communities of the region directly depends on the development of environmental management, marketing and auditing, environmental assessment of economic decisions, strategic environmental assessment, environmental impact assessment, ensuring proper environmental safety and the formation and implementation of effective local environmental policy. Therefore, the authors proposed to use a detailed scheme of components of sustainable development of local communities to write and implement strategies. Based on the research, the authors recommended 24 social, 16 economic and 24 environmental indicators of sustainable development of rural, urban and urban territorial communities of Eastern Podillya. It was found that the justification and development of any long-term program for the development of the local community should always be associated with objective risks. SWOT-analysis of local communities in the region should be used to reduce these risks. Therefore, to determine the ecological status of any territorial community of Eastern Podillya, its socio-economic development, it is necessary to conduct a SWOT-analysis. It should include the identification of strengths (strengths) and weaknesses (limitations) of the social, economic and environmental blocks of the model of sustainable development of the territorial community. These results should be further used for the formation and selection of goals and objectives of the strategy of sustainable development of territorial communities in the region.

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

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.

Alternative Types of Ambiguity and their Effects on Climate Change Regulation.

This paper focuses on different types of ambiguity that affect climate change regulation. In particular, we analyze the effects of the interaction among three types of agents, namely, the decision-maker (DM), the climate change experts, and the society, on the probabilistic properties of green-house gas (GHG) emissions and the formation of environmental policy. These effects are analyzed under two types of ambiguity: "deferential ambiguity" and "preferential ambiguity". Deferential ambiguity refers to the uncertainty that the experts face concerning whose forecast (scenario) the DM will defer to. Preferential ambiguity stems from the potential inability of the DM to correctly discern the society's preferences about the desired change of GHG emissions. This paper shows that the existence of deferential and preferential ambiguities have significant effects on GHG emissions regulation.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЙ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ: ПРОБЛЕМЫ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ

The author considers separate problems of formation and effective implementation of regional environmental policy. It is shown that a number of problems are laid at the stage of elaborating environmental regional programs – the documents designed to reflect the specifics of the territory in solving the most significant environmental protection tasks. The problems are connected, in particular, with the lack of environmental programs coordination with strategic plans for the development of regions, and with uniformity and selectivity of the indicators used, etc. The research deals with the study of regulatory documents in the environmental policy of the Russian Federation and of the Far Eastern Federal District subjects (Far Eastern Federal District), with the Rosstat data study, that would allow effective results in this field.