Abstract: The article describes the history of the origin and development of environmental audit in the Russian Federation, the state of modern legislation regulating the use of environmental audit, the principles and techniques of practical environmental auditing, and the prospects for the development of this type of activity.

Keywords: eco-auditors, environmental audit, GOST R ISO, ISO 14000 series standards, licensing of certain types of activities, principles of eco-audit.

Abstract: The article presents the results of an analysis of the main inconsistencies with federal standards identified in regional regulatory legal acts in the field of state environmental impact assessment for 2019. In the analysis of regional acts in the field of state environmental impact assessment, the data from the "ConsultantPlus: Consolidated regional legislation" database were additionally used, which made it possible to more fully analyze the database of the acts themselves, identify the main inconsistencies with federal standards, and prepare comments and suggestions on eliminating inconsistencies with references to the provisions of relevant federal regulatory legal acts.

Keywords: delegated powers in the field of state environmental assessment, legal regulation, object of examination at the regional level, organization of conducting SEE, service in the organization and carrying out the state environmental assessment, state environmental assessment.

Abstract: Atmospheric air pollution is one of the essential impact factors on the environment. Emissions of multicomponent gases from stationary sources of large-scale industrial facilities cause significant environmental damage. Using the example of power and metallurgy plants, the article presents an influence analysis of multicomponent pollutant emissions on the environment and an assessment of their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. A method for estimating the contribution level to atmospheric air pollution from various impact levels in industrial environments with multicomponent gas emissions is proposed. Emission-specific indicators and relative emission values of multicomponent gases are estimated using the example of Russian heat power plants (HPP) and large-capacity arc electric steel furnaces (ASF).

Keywords: arc electric steel furnaces, atmospheric air pollution, atmospheric air quality, gross pollutant emissions, heat power plant, maximum permitted concentrations, multicomponent emissions, reported emissions, stationary emission source.

Abstract: The article provides a detailed analysis of differences in state regulation of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. Information is provided on the areas where hydrofluorocarbons are used, which, as a result of amendments to the Montreal Protocol, are subject to regulation both as greenhouse gases and as ozone-depleting substances. The final part assesses possible problems with the new obligations for the Russian Federation in connection with the adoption of the Kigali Amendment.

Keywords: Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), ozone layer.

Abstract: The paper evaluates the conservation status of endangered vertebrate species at Russian Arctic protected areas of federal level within the CAFF boundaries. Two bony fish species, 29 bird species, and 23 mammal species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (2001) are registered at Russian Arctic protected areas of federal level. Breeding sites of 1, 24, and 9 species respectively are protected. In addition, three bony fish species, 21 bird species, and 2 mammal species proposed for inclusion in the Red Book of the Russian Federation are registered at Russian Arctic protected areas of federal level within the CAFF boundaries.

Keywords: CAFF, national park, state nature reserve, Red Book of the Russian Federation, Russian Arctic, state strictly protected nature reserve (zapovednik), vertebrate animals.

Abstract: The current composition of the network of protected areas (PA) at federal, regional and local levels in Russia is considered. Statistical data as of January 1, 2020 are presented. The dynamics of the creation of protected areas at the federal level by number and area over the past 20 years are assessed. Examples of changes in the network of protected areas as a result of the creation and reorganization of federal facilities are analyzed. The changes in the numerical composition of the network of protected areas at the regional and local levels over a 4-year period (2016–2019) are examined in comparison with 2006 data.

Keywords: protected areas (PA), categories of protected areas, dynamics of the network of protected areas, protected areas of federal, regional and local level, share of the territory of Russia occupied by protected areas.

Abstract: The possibilities of the Russian industry for the production of equipment, machines and mechanisms necessary for processing and neutralization of production and consumption waste, wastewater and gaseous emissions treatment are analyzed. Proposals are made to introduce changes to Russian legislation that can stimulate the development of the environmental engineering industry.

Keywords: environmental engineering, import substitution, regulatory framework for environmental engineering, waste management of production and consumption, wastewater treatment, treatment of gaseous emissions.

Abstract: Issues related to the lack of legal requirements in the field of medical and biological waste management are considered. This has a significant impact on the country's biological security. There are still no settled and applicable supervisory authorities, no licensing requirements for the transportation of such waste, no defined rules for waste passportization, no reporting conditions, and no harmonization of environmental, medical and sanitary legislation in the field of medical and biological waste.

Keywords: biological safety, biological waste, harmonization of environmental, medical and sanitary legislation, medical waste, treatment of medical and biological waste.

Abstract: The article discusses the main ways to reduce the formation and increase the share of packaging waste processing through economic incentives. The experience of Finland in this area is considered. The scheme for the implementation of measures necessary to improve the ecological situation is presented.

Keywords: economic regulation, packaging, sources, state control, waste.

Abstract: The main types of plastics and microplastics and the sources of their emissions into the environment are described. The factors affecting the degradation of plastics in the marine environment are listed.

Keywords: degradation in marine environment, microplastics, plastic, sources of emissions.

Abstract: Awareness of the finiteness of classical deposits of fossil non-ferrous metals and the high demand for them in industry makes it necessary to search for new ways of enrichment of rocks with low metal content. The article discusses phytomining as an unconventional and promising method for the extraction of rare non-ferrous metals, summarizes the main methods, and identifies the positive and negative aspects of this approach.

Keywords: waste, plants, phytoextraction, deposit, non-ferrous metals.

Abstract: The article provides an overview of possible ways of utilization and use of coal sludge as raw material for further production of commercial products. As a result of the study, the use of sludge from a coal preparation plant as a raw material for the production of coal-water fuel, which can be used as fuel at the enterprise for industrial and municipal needs, is proposed.

Keywords: coal, coal-water fuel, sludge, utilization, waste.

Abstract: The article considers the possibility of producing methane as a separate mineral from coal seams. This technology has a number of economic and environmental advantages and can be recommended for inclusion in the directory of best available technologies when it is updated.

Keywords: coal seams, coal, degassing, methane, mine, best available technology.

Abstract: Insects are used as food by at least 2 billion people on Earth. The global significance of insects and the nutritional value of edible species are reviewed. The principal groups of edible insects belonging to the orders beetles, butterflies, hymenopterans, termites, hemipterans and homopterans are described. The practices of collecting and processing insects for food in South America, Africa and South-East Asia are presented. The use of by-products of insect life cycles (cochineal, lac, manna and oil) is also discussed.

Keywords: nutritional value, by-products of life cycles, edible insects, entomophagy.