IMPROVING THE LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF TERRITORIES IN THE CONTEXT OF DECENTRALIZATION REFORM
Authors:   Donetsk National Technical University, Vasylyshyna Liubov 
Published: November 2021

Substantiation of theoretical and methodological principles and practical recommendations for ensuring a high level of environmental safety of territories in the context of decentralization reform. Defining approaches to understanding the essence of the concept of "environmental safety", analysis of the state of environmental safety in the regions of Ukraine, development of possible measures and activities to ensure a high level of environmental safety in decentralized areas. Method. The study of theoretical approaches to the interpretation of environmental safety was carried out using the methods of analysis and synthesis. Statistical and graphical methods, as well as the method of comparison were used to analyze the level of environmental safety in the regions of Ukraine. A structurally logical method and a method of formalization were used to develop measures and directions to ensure a reliable level of ecological safety of territories. Results. The study allowed to single out certain aspects of the concept of "environmental safety", in particular, it is established that it is a system of certain measures, a component of national security, an integral part of environmental protection, a component of the production process, a certain degree of danger. Based on the generalization of different points of view, it is proposed to use a comprehensive approach to the interpretation of environmental safety. It is proposed to use the volumes of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere from stationary sources of pollution as the main criterion that measures the level of environmental safety of territories, as well as on the basis of which environmental recovery measures are developed. Based on the calculation and analysis of relative indicators per unit area and per capita, the regions of Ukraine with the highest level of environmental danger are identified. The system of the basic measures and directions of activity on increase of level of environmental safety of the united territorial communities which are contained in ecological programs of their sustainable development is developed. The concept of waste management, which is used in the EU countries and is aimed at ensuring the environmental safety of the territories, and also allows to solve the most pressing environmental problems of the inhabitants of a particular area, is justified to adapt to domestic practice. Scientific novelty. The definition of environmental safety is defined as a result of interaction and coordinated interaction of measures for the use, protection and restoration of the environment, which achieves ecological balance that ensures sustainable socio-economic development of relevant territories – countries, regions, districts, united territorial communities. The use of absolute and relative criteria for the analysis of the level of environmental safety by regions of Ukraine is substantiated. Measures and directions of activity on maintenance of a high level of environmental safety of territories in the conditions of decentralization are developed. Practical significance. The conducted research on the issues of increasing the level of environmental safety of territories gives an opportunity to realize the catastrophic consequences in case of inefficient management of these processes. Achieving a high level of environmental safety is that the latter is one of the components of the concept of sustainable development, thus ensuring the socio-economic development of territories. Key words: environmental safety, ecology, ecological balance, territory, region, decentralization, territorial reform.