Principles of the State policy in the area of environmental development of the Russian Federation for the period up to the year 2030.

It is sectoral nationwide Strategy for environmental development. The scope of these Principles shall be to ensure environmental security while modernizing the economy and during the process of innovative development. The strategic objective of State policy in the field of environmental development is the decision of the socio-economic goals for environmentally oriented economic growth, preservation of the environment, biodiversity and natural resources to meet the needs of present and future generations, the realization of the right of everyone to a favorable environment, strengthening of the rule of law in the area of environmental protection and environmental safety.
The implementation of these Principles shall be carried out in accordance with the following principles: (a) creating an enabling environment for human life; (b) a scientific sound combination of environmental, economic and social interests of human, society and the State, with a view to sustainable development and to a healthy environment and environmental safety; (c) protection, reproduction and rational use of natural resources as necessary conditions for ensuring a favorable state of the environment and environmental safety; (d) priority conservation of natural ecosystems, natural landscapes and natural complexes; (e) the responsibility of the federal authorities, authorities of federal subjects of the Russian Federation and of local authorities (hereinafter referred to as the public authorities) to ensure a favorable state of the environment and environmental safety in the relevant territories; (f) the presumption of environmental hazards of proposed economic or other activities; (g) a compulsory environmental impact assessment of the proposed decisions relating to the implementation of economic and other activities; the prohibition of economic and other activities with unpredictable effects on the environment, as well as prohibition of projects, which can lead to a degradation of natural ecosystems, change and/or destruction of the genetic reserve of plants, animals and other organisms, depletion of natural resources and other negative environmental change; (h) to ensure that economic and other activities meet standards and requirements in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety; (i) respect of the right of every person to receive reliable information on the state of the environment; (j) citizen participation in decision-making affecting their rights to a favorable environment; (k) liability for violation of the legislation of the Russian Federation on environmental protection; (l) full compensation for environmental harm; (m) participation of citizens, the public and other non-profit organizations in solving problems in the field of environmental protection and environmental security, taking into consideration their position in decision-making related to the planning and implementation of economic and other activities which may have a negative impact on the environment; and (n) promotion of international cooperation in addressing global environmental problems and the application of international standards in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety. To achieve the goal of building a modern system of State environmental monitoring (environmental monitoring) and prediction of natural and man-made disasters, as well as climate change the following mechanisms are used: (a) creation and development of a unified State automated environmental monitoring system, fitted with modern measuring and analytical equipment and informational means; (b) introduction of methods of accounting of adverse environmental impacts by using the instrumental (and automated) systems; (c) development of observational network and data-processing programs that provide timely access to reliable information on the state of the environment; and (d) results of the environmental monitoring shall be taken into account in activities on the protection of the environment, in decisions on the implementation of the proposed economic or other activity, in implementation of State environmental supervision, as well as in the forecasts of socio-economic development. In implementing the objectives of ensuring the effective participation of citizens, public associations, non-profit organizations and the business community in matters relating to the protection of the environment and ensuring environmental security the following mechanisms are used: (a) participation of the business community, scientific and educational organizations, public associations and non-profit organizations in the formulation, discussion and decision-making in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety, and environmental practices; (b) participation and accounting for the legitimate interests of stakeholders in the assessment of the impact of economic and other activities on the environment, including strategic environmental assessment in the development and approval of projects and programs, the implementation of which might have an impact on the environment and the health of the population; (c) ensuring openness and accessibility of information on the State of the environment and measures for its protection, on activities of governmental agencies and of their decisions; (d) ensure publicity of the information contained in the declarations and resolutions on the impact on the environment, with the exception of information that constitutes a secret protected by the law; and (e) increase in information transparency of industrial enterprises in terms of their negative effects on the environment and measures being taken to reduce such impact, as well as the development of voluntary mechanisms for environmental liability of organizations, with the participation of the State, and the transition of State-owned corporations to compulsory non-financial reporting in the field of environmental protection and environmental safety in accordance with international standards. This reporting shall be audited and certified by independent third parties.