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Natural environments are recognized as complex heterogeneous structures thus requiring numerous multi-scale observations to yield a comprehensive description. To monitor the current state and identify negative impacts of human activity, fast and precise instruments are in urgent need. This work provides an automated approach to the assessment of spatial variability of water quality using guideline values on the example of 1526 water samples comprising 21 parameters at 448 unique locations across the New Moscow region (Russia). We apply multi-task Gaussian process regression (GPR) to model the measured water properties across the territory, considering not only the spatial but inter-parameter correlations. GPR is enhanced with a Spectral Mixture Kernel to facilitate a hyper-parameter selection and optimization. We use a 5-fold cross-validation scheme along with R 2 -score to validate the results and select the best model for simultaneous prediction of water properties across the area. Finally, we develop a novel Probabilistic Substance Quality Index (PSQI) that combines probabilistic model predictions with the regulatory standards on the example of the epidemiological rules and hygienic regulations established in Russia. Moreover, we provide an interactive map of experimental results at 100 m2 resolution. The proposed approach contributes significantly to the development of flexible tools in environment quality monitoring, being scalable to different standard systems, number of observation points, and region of interest. It has a strong potential for adaption to environmental and policy changes and non-unified assessment conditions, and may be integrated into support-decision systems for the rapid estimation of water quality spatial distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper measures the effects on carbon emissions of production scale, composition, technological use, and environmental policy to elucidate the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, synthesising the propositions of Grossman and Krueger, Q J Econ, 110(2), 353–377 (1995) and Brock and Taylor (2005) for the case of seventy-seven regions of the Russian Federation from 1999 to 2015. To this end, we apply dynamic threshold regression due to its robustness in addressing non-linear asymmetry and unobserved individual heterogeneity issues. Our empirical investigation demonstrates that the gross regional products (GRP) per capita play a threshold role in supporting the EKC hypothesis and non-monotonic scale effect. Modern technologies used in production appear to be the driving factor in explaining the declining portion of EKC and corroborating the technology effect proposition. Our finding also affirms the effect of composition, as the impacts of energy and technology vary with regional economic growth orientations (e.g. among manufacturing, agricultural, mining, and trade zones). Environmental policy stringency is found to be effective in curbing regional carbon emissions. We provide several policy implications based on the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented is the model for analysis of ecologo-economic processes in terms of 'green' economy. The model was built upon P. Victor's conceptual scheme. The key parameters are represented by the specific indicators of impact on natural systems per unit of economic result. The model was used in investigating the processes of forest use at the level of regions of Russia. Analysis showed that most of the regions with high indicators of budgetary and socioeconomic effectiveness as well are holding the greatest promise for 'green' growth. This indicates that if these indicators rather than the felling, export and processing volumes are used as the basis for the country's forestry policy, then the relevant incentives thus created would encourage a further development of Russian forest use in the light of the principles of 'green' economy. The findings intimate that the measures of state policy for improvements in forest use disregard the regional differences and are insufficiently effective for regions where the geographical and infrastructural conditions are beneficial for fostering development of exports of raw wood and sawn timber subjected to rough conversion. According to our calculations, an enhancement in effectiveness of forest use is also feasible without any additional load pressure on ecosystems through rational utilization of forest resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaches to the establishment of the limit concentrations of pollutants in Russia and abroad were considered. It was shown that the norms for the concentrations of total trace elements and heavy metals in soils used in Russia and European countries are comparable. On the basis of the analysis of cartographic data, general regularities in changes of the concentrations of some trace elements were revealed for soils of European Russia. Different computational methods were tested for establishing the background concentrations of elements in soils of different composition in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on comparative review and analysis of the systems of environmental protection, national environmental strategies and fundamentals of environmental legislation in Australia and the Russian Federation. These countries have many socioeconomic similarities, such as low population densities and richness in natural resources which are largely exported. The main disparity between Australia and Russia is in the types of economy. This paper ‘continues’ the sequence of recent scholarly publications on comparison of various features of environmental policies in the countries from all over the world. Comparative analysis in this research has been based on examination of scholarly publications, legislation, government documents, mass media sources and NGO responses. The analysis has revealed a number of differences including top-down implementation of policies in Russia whereas in Australia, each State (Territory) implements policies with significant independence from the Commonwealth Government. At the same time, similarities between the countries have been identified: for example, in deficits in the budget of local environmental authorities and in the presence of contradictions in legislation at national and regional levels of government. Suggestions resulting from this analysis include further integration of sustainable development strategies at all levels of Australian government to encourage further protection of the environment and, for Russia, creating a separate Ministry of Environmental Protection. These approaches should assist facilitation of sustainable development for both nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The past decade has witnessed an active dismantling of public environmental policy in Russia. At the same time, Russian companies involved in natural resources extraction have adopted standardized environmental management systems. In this way, much of the responsibility of environmental policy in Russia has been transferred to private industries and their environmental management systems. These systems do not, as such, guarantee increased environmental responsibility. This article addresses the privatization of the Russian environmental policy in light of the legitimacy and uncertainty involved in standardized environmental management systems. A case study of the mining industry in the Kola Peninsula, Russia, is used in two ways. First, environmental policy conflicts between public bodies and mining companies in Russia are illustrated with two examples. Second, key drivers for adopting environmental management systems in the Kola Peninsula mining companies are extracted from thematic interviews. These drivers are analyzed for their impact on unit and corporate level decision-making. In addition, the drivers are categorized according to the type of legitimacy and stakeholder salience. It is shown that unit and corporate level applications of environmental management have different societal and environmental implications. On the basis of the case study it is suggested that due to their support of cognitive and moral legitimacy, and a broader view on salient stakeholders, environmental management systems defined on the unit level allow a better alignment of corporate goals with societal goals of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since January 2005 the European Union has launched an EU-internal emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) for emission-intensive installations as the central pillar to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. The EU ETS will be linked to a Kyoto emissions market where greenhouse gas emission allowances of signatory Kyoto countries can be traded. In this paper we investigate the implications of Russian market power for environmental effectiveness and regional compliance costs to the Kyoto Protocol taking into account potential linkages between the Kyoto emissions market and the EU ETS. We find that Russia may have incentives to join the EU ETS as long as the latter remains relatively separated from the Kyoto international emissions market. In this case, Russia can exert monopolistic price discrimination between two separated markets thereby maximizing revenues from hot air sales. The EU will be able to substantially reduce compliance costs if it does not restrain itself to EU-internal emission regulation schemes. However, part of the gains from extra-EU emissions trading will come at the expense of environmental effectiveness as (more) hot air will be drawn in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A geophysical seismic survey was conducted in the summer of 2001 off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island, Russia. The area of seismic exploration was immediately adjacent to the Piltun feeding grounds of the endangered western gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus). This study investigates relative abundance, behavior, and movement patterns of gray whales in relation to occurrence and proximity to the seismic survey by employing scan sampling, focal follow, and theodolite tracking methodologies. These data were analyzed in relation to temporal, environmental, and seismic related variables to evaluate potential disturbance reactions of gray whales to the seismic survey. The relative numbers of whales and pods recorded from five shore-based stations were not significantly different during periods when seismic surveys were occurring compared to periods when no seismic surveys were occurring and to the post-seismic period. Univariate analyses indicated no significant statistical correlation between seismic survey variables and any of the eleven movement and behavior variables. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, after accounting for temporal and environmental variables, 6 of 11 movement and behavior variables (linearity, acceleration, mean direction, blows per surfacing, and surface-dive blow rate) were not significantly associated with seismic survey variables, and 5 of 11 variables (leg speed, reorientation rate, distance-from-shore, blow interval, and dive time) were significantly associated with seismic survey variables. In summary, after accounting for environmental variables, no correlation was found between seismic survey variables and the linearity of whale movements, changes in whale swimming speed between theodolite fixes, mean direction of whale movement, mean number of whale exhalations per minute at the surface, mean time at the surface, and mean number of exhalations per minute during a whales surface-to-dive cycle. In contrast, at higher received sound energy exposure levels, whales traveled faster, changed directions of movement less, were recorded further from shore, and stayed under water longer between respirations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests of the United States and Russia can play a positive role in reducing the extent of global warming caused by greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. To determine the extent of carbon sequestration, physical, ecological, economic, and social issues need to be considered, including different forest management objectives across major forest ownership groups. Private timberlands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest are relatively young, well stocked, and sequestering carbon at relatively high rates. Forests in northwestern Russia are generally less productive than those in the Northwestern U.S. but cover extensive areas. A large increase in carbon storage per hectare in live tree biomass is projected on National Forest timberlands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest for all selected scenarios, with an increase of between 157--175 Mg by 2050 and a near doubling of 1970s levels. On private timberlands in the Pacific Northwest, average carbon in live tree biomass per hectare has been declining historically but began to level off near 65 Mg in 2000; projected levels by 2050 are roughly what they were in 1970 at approximately 80 Mg. In the St. Petersburg region, average carbon stores were similar to those on private lands in the Pacific Northwest: 57 Mg per hectare in 2000 and ranging from 40 to 64 Mg by 2050. Although the projected futures reflect a broad range of policy options, larger differences in projected carbon stores result from the starting conditions determined by ownership, regional environmental conditions, and past changes in forest management. However, an important change of forest management objective, such as the end of all timber harvest on National Forests in the Pacific Northwest or complete elimination of mature timber in the St. Petersburg region, can lead to substantial change in carbon stores over the next 50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Russian politics and Kyoto protocol. A move by Russia to support the Kyoto Protocol should usher in an era of international collaboration in mitigating climate change. Validating emissions trading and bringing developing economies into the fold are the next priorities. Russia’s climate politics are something of a mystery to outsiders, but the Russian government has reportedly decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and approval by the parliament should be a formality. Thus the last obstacle to the protocol’s coming into force is set to be removed.

Reports on the failure of the Russian Academy of Sciences to provide the quality of research or scientific advice on scientific issues like the Kyoto Protocol. Criticism of the advice of the academy to President Vladimir Putin on climate change; Failure of the advice to reflect the views climate scientists; Functions of the academy.

Reports on the announcement of setting up of the Centre for Ecological Policy in Moscow, Russia by two dozen scientists and public interest group representatives. Alexei Yablokov, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as chairman; Two main goals of center.