Conceptualizing Environmental Policy: An Analysis of Russian and International Scientific Discourseand National Arctic Development Priorities

Abstract

Environmental protection and safety are at the forefront of Russia's national policies in the Arctic. This region is becoming increasingly internationalized and turning into a major point of interest for world powers and transnational companies, which makes environmental policy an important aspect of geopolitical competition. Environmental policy design should be based on current scientific approaches. This study aims to identify and compare the most important topics and theoretical concepts that underlie environmental policy in Russia and abroad. The methodological approach used was semi-systematic (narrative) bibliographic analysis, which involved selecting and analyzing one hundred most-cited Russian and international studies on environmental policy issues. The study identified the key issues discussed and theoretical as well as methodological approaches used by domestic and foreign researchers in the study of environmental policy. The results of the analysis and comparison were evaluated in the context of their relevance to the challenges associated with Russia's state policy imperatives in the Arctic.