State Environmental Policy of Russia and China in the Arctic: General and Special

Abstract

The article examines and compares the Arctic policy of Russia and China in the field of environmental protection and analyzes specific environmental activities carried out by them in the Arctic.Aim. The purpose is to review the environmental policy of Russia and China implemented in the Arctic. Tasks. Identify existing problems and offer recommendations for their solution.Methods. A systematic approach, generalization, synthesis, comparative analysis, and document analysis were used.Results. Four main directions of implementation of Russia’s environmental policy in the Arctic have been identified. The main provisions of the White Paper “China’s Arctic Policy”, which regulates the directions of China’s Arctic policy implemented by the Administration for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs, are considered. Three main lines in Beijing’s environmental strategy in the Arctic region are highlighted. A comparative analysis of the environmental policies of the two countries in the Arctic is carried out.Conclusions. The national interests of both countries in the Arctic are connected with economics and geopolitics, but veiled under the interests of solving environmental problems. The current issues in the Arctic are environmental protection, the fight against climate change and the development of international cooperation. The declarative, programmatic nature of the main documents on environmental protection in the region, as well as the absence of a joint competent authority carrying out joint activities of the states under consideration in the Arctic, remain unresolved problems of both China and Russia in the implementation of Arctic environmental policy.

Keywords

• arctic region
• china’s arctic policy
• climate change
• environmental damage
• environmental safety
• research expeditions