Environmental report strategic environmental assessment of the Russian territory CBC Kolarctic 2021-2027 / V. A. Masloboev, E. M. Klyuchnikova, E. A. Borovichev [et al.]. - Apatity : FRS KSCRAS, 2022. - 62 p.

C H A P T E R 12. A SSESSM EN T AND R E C O M M E N D A T IO N S The consortium proceeds in its assessment from the following scenarios of possible environmental risks: -ze ro scenario; -alternative scenario for a partial Programme implementation by 2027; -scenario of full Programme implementation by 2027. Zero scenario assumes a refusal to implement the Programme. In this case, the environmental and socio-economic profile of the Russian programme area presented in Section 2. “Description of the Russian programme area” and in other sections will match the baseline data as of 2021; its improvement will be associated mainly with the implementation of existing Russian federal and regional development strategies. Alternative scenario assumes partial implementation of policy objectives. Interreg specific objective and corresponding specific objectives until the completion of the Programme in 2027. Scenario offull Programme strategy implementation implies implementation of all Programme goals and objectives by 2027. Since it is not possible to undertake risk assessment of specific project activities at the Programme development stage, the Consortium proceeds from the assumption that the scope of assessment is determined by the selected policy objectives, the Interreg specific objective and the corresponding specific objectives. Potential impact under the alternative scenario and fu ll implementation scenario will depend on the maximum amount of financing assigned to the investment (infrastructure) component. Additional filters excluding projects with potentially negative environmental impact are assessment of project applications by regional expert groups, as well as by delegations of countries participating in the Joint Monitoring Committee. When considering project applications, the Consortium recommends to pay a special attention to proposed technological solutions, their environmental friendliness, effectiveness and energy-efficiency, as well as compliance with national and international regulatory frameworks. Taking into account the significance o f the selected Programme objectives and priorities, as well as the proposed list of potential project activities and their results1, the full implementation of the Programme is considered as the preferred scenario. The Programme will contribute to the integrated, sustainable development of the participating regions, contributing to the preservation of human and natural capital, to the development of a green economy and digital technologies. No less important aspects accompanying the implementation of the Programme are the strengthening of cross-border cooperation at the national, regional and local levels, the practical implementation o f existing cooperation agreements, as well as synergy with other instruments o f cooperation in the Barents and Arctic regions. For the purpose of studying the full implementation scenario , the Consortium analyzed the current status data on the Russian programme area2, current Russian legislation, federal and regional strategies, and correlating reports and research publications3. On the basis thereof, as well as taking into account expert experience and stakeholder consultations’ 'See Annex. Sections: Biodiversity. Soil Quality, Water Quality, Air Quality, Climate Change, Green Infrastructure, Cultural Life and Heritage, Health, Tourism. 'See Section 15. List of references.