ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the different ways in which the West has approached Russia’s environmental situation since 1991. It suggests that at least three dominant conceptual frameworks are recognisable related to notions of environmental crisis and environmental improvement in addition to Russia’s role as a global environmental player. The chapter considers the environmental implications of Russia’s progressive entrenchment in the flows and processes of globalised economic systems in order to draw attention to the wider context in which Russia’s societal changes are taking place. More sophisticated approaches to understanding environmental issues within the post-socialist countries of central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union have been advanced, largely in response to a recognised under-theorising in this area. The social science literature concerned with post-socialist change is highly diverse, and yet it is possible to make certain generalisations. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
