This book discusses issues of geoecological (GER) and geopolitical (GPR) risks due to hydrocarbon development of the Arctic. The authors explain the ethical and philosophical foundations of understanding environmental equity and justice in relation to the development of Arctic natural resources and consider various approaches to the moral aspects of making global management decisions in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety. Special attention is paid to analysis of modern geopolitical and geostrategic challenges to the development of the Arctic region. The monograph identifies the key geopolitical factors affecting the sustainable development of the Arctic and analyzes the similarities and differences in the geostrategic positions of the five Arctic states.

 

The authors reveal the need to consider geopolitical challenges in the process of GER analysis for oil and gas development in the Arctic region. The book explores the intersection of the strategic interests for a number of states and describes Russia's inability to ensure environmental safety in the development of Arctic deposits. The book analyzes in detail each type of GER with an emphasis on their potential to lead to additional opportunities and threats, and assesses environmental rating as an indicator of the GER management process of Russian oil and gas companies operating in the Arctic. Although the main focus is on the Russian part of this region, many arguments and conclusions are quite applicable to the entire Arctic region. The consideration of geoecological and geopolitical aspects of the development of Arctic resources with the example of Russian oil and gas companies sheds light on the entire Arctic region, taking into account the interests of all other national and international companies involved in GER and GPR there.

Vladimir N. Bashkin - Principal researcher of the Institute of physical, chemical and biological problems of soil science of Pushchino Research Center RAS, Professor, doctor of biological Sciences. His main research interests are biogeochemistry, geoecology, risk assessment. Author of more than 400 works.

Olga P. Trubitsina, PhD (geography), Ass. Prof., Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk. Her main research interests are geoecology and risk assessment in the Arctic. Author of more than 80 works.

Chapter1. Environmental equity and justice in relation to the development of natural resources in the Arctic.- Chapter2. Geopolitical risks for oil and gas industry in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.- Chapter3. Geoecological risks for oil and gas industry in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (GER analyses and modeling).- Chapter4. Environmental rating as an indicator of geoecological risk management of Russian oil and gas companies in the Arctic.- Chapter5. Management of geopolitical and geoecological risks as a basis for taking into account national and international interests in the development of natural resources in the Arctic.