Best available techniques as a tool for compliance with international agreements

Abstract

The article analyses the role and place of the best available techniques (BAT) concept for achieving requirements of international agreements. BAT implementation contributes towards sustainable development goals achievement via strengthening international partnerships, establishing responsible production and consumption patterns, introducing innovations, providing all with clean water and affordable energy. The authors consider international conventions aimed at preventing and controlling pollution and thus playing a significant role in the formation of conditions for the operation of facilities with significant negative environmental impact and socio-economic development of the territories where these facilities are located. It is suggested that regional leaders and industrial management should consider BAT requirements as boundary conditions for setting strategic development goals. The article emphasizes that international conventions recommend to apply environmentally, technically and economically best available techniques, technical solutions and methods. It is shown that applying the best available techniques as internationally recognized criteria for determining resource and environmental performance parameters for certain industrial activity allows to reach mutual understanding in solving complex issues related to the transfer of (transboundary) pollutants or the elimination of sources that pose a threat of pollution. The article describes typical approaches to pollution reduction and control of the member states of the Eurasian Union and BRICS. Russian case studies on BAT application for achieving compliance with international conventions and agreements are described. It is proposed to use the experience accumulated in the European Union and the Russian Federation during development of BAT Reference documents for drawing up and subsequent application of similar documents within the BRICS. The unique Russian BAT Reference document on municipal wastewater treatment is considered as a reference for preparing such a document for BRICS cities