For the first time in the territory of the Russian Far East, a study related to the establishment of correlations between air quality and public health in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia) was carried out. This study is based on the analysis of official medical statistics on morbidity over several years, the data on the composition and volume of emissions of harmful substances into the air from various stationary sources, and laboratory measurements of air pollutants in different locations in Ulan-Ude. This study confirmed that the morbidity of the population in Ulan-Ude has been increasing every year and it is largely influenced by air pollutants, the main of which are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. It was found that the greatest contribution to the unfavorable environmental situation is made by three types of stationary sources: large heating networks, autonomous sources (enterprises and small businesses), and individual households. The main air pollutants whose concentrations exceed the limits are benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, suspended particles PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. A comprehensive assessment of the content of various pollutants in the atmospheric air showed that levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to public health exceeded allowable levels. Priority pollutants in the atmosphere of Ulan-Ude whose concentrations create unacceptable levels of risk to public health are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, nitrogen dioxide, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, formaldehyde, and black carbon. The levels of morbidity in Ulan-Ude were higher than the average for Buryatia by the main disease classes: respiratory organs—by 1.19 times, endocrine system—by 1.25 times, circulatory system—by 1.11 times, eye diseases—by 1.06 times, neoplasms—by 1.47 times, congenital anomalies, and deformations and chromosomal aberrations—by 1.63 times. There is an increase in the incidence of risk-related diseases of respiratory organs and the circulatory system. A strong correlation was found between this growth of morbidity and atmospheric air pollution in Ulan-Ude.

This article discusses the efficiency of transport infrastructure and cooperation of neighboring regions located in Asian Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in the context of creating new international economic corridors from the Silk Road and trans-Eurasian transport corridors. This study aims to highlight the possible ways of strengthening cross-border cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure. We evaluated the current state of the transport infrastructure, the dynamics of its development, and its influence on the territorial–production complex. Using quantitative data and the unified indicator for the efficiency of transport infrastructure, we also characterized the territorial differentiation, its causes, and prerequisites for further economic and trade cooperation between these countries. The main results are as follows: (1) The lowest levels of the efficiency of transport infrastructure are typical for the northeast of Asian Russia, as well as for the border regions of China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. (2) For Asian Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, the highest levels of the unified indicator are typical for regions located along the main transport routes and for regions with a developed mining industry. This is due to the strong unevenness of the socio-economic development of the territories. (3) The largest industrial and economic centers have been developing along the main transport corridors primarily due to the accumulated potential of equivalent freight turnover and export potential. This study can be useful for authorities and business, as well as for other users of transport infrastructure to improve its regulation and efficiency.

Every year, humanity is increasingly faced with a shortage of electricity on the one hand, and with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions after the generation of electricity at thermal power plants (TPPs), on the other. Energy is the dominant driver of climate change and accounts for about 60 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. The article is devoted to the analysis of renewable energy development in the Republic of Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. The constantly growing demand for electricity and relatively small energy capacities are forcing the Republic of Buryatia (to a greater extent) and Mongolia, which are limited in some types of economic activity, to look for new sources of energy. One of these restrictions is the ban on the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the rivers of the Baikal Lake basin. Therefore, Buryatia and Mongolia have embarked on the path of building environmentally friendly power plants and have succeeded in many ways. In last years, in connection with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the development of infrastructure for the provision of affordable and clean energy (Goal 7), there has been a need to develop renewable energy sources. One of the priority areas for the development of renewable, including alternative, energy in Buryatia and Mongolia is solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. As part of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, solar and wind power plants have been actively built in Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. Despite the high costs of their creation, the contribution to alternative energy is a long-term and profitable investment in infrastructure. At least investors (including foreign ones) investing in a seemingly lowprofit project look far into the future. Smart investors do not run after «quick money», realizing that the constructed power plants will pay off for a long time, since at the moment of development they have a relatively low efficiency. Despite the criticism, they are investing in green energy, modern infrastructure, and a future without emissions (CO2, NO2, SO2 and other Greenhouse gases) from burning coal, fuel oil and firewood. For the qualitative development of the economy, it is necessary, first of all, a balanced development of generating and network capacities, therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of shortage of electricity without a heavy burden on the environment only by developing alternative energy (renewable energy sources).

This article examines the territorial production and resource structures in the territory of Asian Russia, which include natural, economic, and social elements. The objective of this study is to assess, typologize, and zone the territorial production–resource structures. The methodological framework of this study is based on calculating an integral development indicator for the regions of Asian Russia, represented by an Adjusted Net Savings index. This index reflects regional wealth according to the World Bank’s expanded concept of national wealth, which includes three types of capital: “reproducible”, “natural”, and “human”. The study also involves a larger typology of the regions, classifying them based on the predominance of these capital forms through the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the triangular illustration method. Regional clustering within the study area was also conducted through the k-means method using Statistica 12 software. Accordingly, adjusted net savings and sectoral contributions to gross regional product were calculated for the regions in this area. A relationship between regional specialization and the level of genuine savings was identified, forming the basis for the grouping of regions. A total of three groups were distinguished: regions with negative, moderate, and the highest levels of genuine savings within the macroregion. A larger typology using dominant, predominant, and complex functions was also developed. Using data on natural, physical, and human capital in Asian Russia, its regions were clustered, resulting in the identification of five clusters. The territory was then zoned based on the clustering results. A total of eight zones were identified, reflecting the size and balance of the three types of capital (human, physical capital, and productive natural), with regions grouped according to their cluster membership and territorial proximity. The findings can help identify pathways for more sustainable development of this territory amidst evolving natural, economic, social, and geopolitical conditions.

The article considers the priority directions of energy infrastructure development. The analysis of electricity and heat supply infrastructure in the areas of Buryatia described the problems of heat supply and proposed solutions to the problem.

The constantly growing demand for electricity and relatively small energy capacities are forcing the Republic of Buryatia (to a greater extent) and Mongolia, which are limited in some types of economic activity, to look for new sources of energy. One of these restrictions is the ban on the construction of hydroelectric power plants on rivers of the Lake Baikal basin. Therefore, Buryatia and Mongolia have taken the path of building environmentally friendly power plants and have succeeded in many ways. Despite the high costs of setting up clean power plants, infrastructure investments in alternative energy are long-term and expected to be profitable. Investors (including foreign ones) placing their money in a seemingly low-profit project, having long-term expectations. Competent investors do not run after “quick money”, realising that the return period of the constructed power plants will be long, as at the moment of development they have a relatively low efficiency. Despite the criticism of some researchers [1], they invest in green energy, modern infrastructure and a future without emissions (CO₂, NO₂, SO₂ and other gases) from burning coal, fuel oil and firewood. Other experts see in the development of alternative energy a great potential [2-5], refuting arguments of critics about high cost of electricity [6].