Environmental and economic support for industrial facilities as an innovative management tool

Original Paper

Abstract

Relevance and problem formulation. The article examines a methodological approach to the environmental and economic support of industrial facilities, aimed at integrating environmental safety, economic efficiency, and technological modernization at various stages of a production facility’s life cycle. The relevance of the study is due to the need to transition from a predominantly compensatory model of environmental regulation to preventive management of environmental risks and to encourage the implementation of the best available technologies (BAT) to reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainable development. Materials and Methods. The industrial areas of mining operations in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan were selected as the object of the study using a case‑based approach. The possibility of applying a three‑stage model of environmental and economic support was investigated, including the initial and project stages, as well as the stages of construction and operation of the facility. At the initial stage, the environmental classification of the facility is carried out typically, this involves determining its category in accordance with environmental legislation. Next, the need to conduct a full‑scale environmental impact assessment and to identify sensitive components of the natural environment is determined. At the design stage, environmental protection measures are developed, environmental public hearings and expert reviews are conducted, and technological solutions are selected. At the operation stage, production environmental control, automated emission monitoring for large facilities that are users of natural resources, and waste management are provided for. Results and discussion. The authors propose an ecological and economic indicator of the effectiveness of implementing “green” solutions, which takes into account the prevented environmental damage, capital and operating costs, as well as the economic effect of resource conservation and reduced environmental payments. The approach to ranking the best available technologies based on the criteria of environmental and economic efficiency is substantiated. The article analyzes cases that reflect various scenarios. The hypothetical scenario demonstrates that an increase in emissions beyond the established standards leads to a disproportionate rise in the company’s financial burden, whereas the implementation of BAT makes it possible to simultaneously reduce environmental risks and economic costs.