In this paper, we consider the effects of desertification in Mongolia, where the area of degraded land has increased significantly in the recent decade. Currently, almost the entire territory of the country is subject to varying degrees of degradation. The intensity of the desertification processes in different natural zones is influenced by both natural climatic and anthropogenic factors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of desertification on environmental and socio-economic living conditions, as well as on living standards of the local population. In this work, for the first time, the socio-economic aspects of desertification have been studied on a common methodological basis in different Mongolian aimags over a ten-year period. In order to carry out in-depth research, we used the submeridional and sublatitudinal principles for selecting the model study areas, as well as specific criteria and expert assessment. We used a sociological survey as the main method, based on a designed questionnaire, which was translated into Mongolian. The questionnaire includes questions regarding the influence of desertification on traditional nomadic farming, health of family members, water supply of households, water quality, living standards, etc. The results of the sociological surveys made it possible to draw conclusions on the impact of desertification on households, to identify the main problems of local people, and to describe the dynamics of the socio-economic status of the population living in the model areas. Our studies have demonstrated the intensification of the impact of desertification processes in different natural zones, administrative-territorial units and settlement systems in Mongolia.

The problems of preserving the natural environment are relevant for unique natural complexes of territories, such as the Baikal region (Russia). There are few studies devoted to forecasting the green economic development of the eco-socio-economic system of the Baikal region. The previous studies are mainly dedicated to the theory of forming the green economy in the Baikal region. This study aimed to forecast and determine future trends in the Baikal region’s eco-socio-economic development based on the green economy. The methodological approach to assess the Baikal region development prospects is based on determining the factors affecting the relationship between various eco-socio-economic components using multiple regression models. We constructed the forecast using the artificial neural networks method, and we assessed the possible impact of anthropogenic factors on the Baikal region’s eco-socio-economic system in the future. Based on the obtained forecast, we proposed a mechanism for regulating the green economy formation in the region. The regional governments of the Baikal region should perform the management function. This requires establishing a special interregional Green Development Fund to restructure incoming public funds by redistributing financial flows from contaminating brown to green industries and develop a state program for the Green Development of the Baikal region. The constructed forecast is informational support for decision making for the long-term development of the economy during the transition to the green economy, the development and justification of program activities, and the future’s main strategic priorities.

The study of the transformation of substances in the basin of the Selenga River—the main tributary of Lake Baikal—under anthropogenic pressure and in the context of global climate change, is especially important for the lake, a globally important source of drinking water. The ecosystem of Lake Gusinoe is one of the key objects in the Selenga River basin that is exposed to significant anthropogenic pressure. This study presents the results of an analysis of water level changes and physicochemical parameters of the water mass of Lake Gusinoe; literature data from 1951 to 2017 and own data from 2017 to 2021. The water level in the lake had depended on natural factors before the Gusinoozersk GRES was launched; however, since the plant has begun using the lake as a cooling pond, its level has actually been regulated by the economic entity. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in mineralization, sulfate, sodium, fluoride and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation. Seasonal increases in iron and manganese concentrations in water were detected. Increased concentrations of nutrients and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation were registered at the wastewater discharge sites. Heavy metals in the bottom sediments of Lake Gusinoe accumulate mainly in the silt of the deep zone of the lake. Plants growing in the zones of influence of the Gusinoozersk GRES and Gusinoozersk wastewater discharge accumulate the largest amount of metals.

This article discusses developing methods for assessing environmental and socio-economic sustainability, using examples of mineral and raw materials sector companies in Northern Asia (Russia). We identified a sustainability criteria system and proposed an indicator system. These indicators represent a mechanism that orders the complex of existing indicators following the goals and strategy of sustainable development at the micro level. The proposed methodology for constructing a generalized index is based on aggregating three indicator blocks that characterize the environmental and socio-economic aspects of company development. The Sustainable Development Generalized Index (SDGI) allowed us to integrate the complex environmental and socio-economic development processes of mineral and raw materials sector companies and assess their sustainability. Its main feature is the reflection of the environmental specificity of companies. The indicator system adapted to the peculiarities of the mineral and raw materials sector development is a tool for identifying the main trends in the extractive industry development and determining the factors that positively or negatively affect the sustainable development of production companies. The obtained results have information significance for state structures in ensuring the regulation, planning, and control of the consequences of decisions made in the greening production activities at the micro level.

The article critically evaluates the contents of the adopted National Program for Socio-Economic Development of Far East Russia for the period up to 2024 and as far as 2035. Specific examples indicate both inaccuracy in some data and the declarative nature of the tasks set in the absence of mechanisms for their implementation and scientific justification (when determining the priorities for the forest industry, mining, agricultural production, trunk infrastructure and transport accessibility, as well as the development of public health services, education and science). There is shown a lack of detail in sections describing the state of soft infrastructure and the standard of living of the indigenous peoples of the region, the reaction of the region unique in terms of natural environment, to global environmental challenges. It is stressed that the federal government is still orienting the economy of Far East Russia to extraction of mineral resources: under a great number of fields involved in the economic turnover there is even no mention of a need for complete processing of raw materials and launching production in these fields to obtain finished high-tech export products except gas chemistry. The authors conclude that it is necessary to adjust the National Program in terms of the main parameters in accordance with National Strategy of Spatial Development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025, with the realities and effects of the current foreign and domestic policy of the Russian Federation

This paper provides an overview of the documents on the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources within the Lake Baikal drainage basin. An analysis is made of the results of the environme