The question of ecological safety of the Arctic has acquired special significance in view of the increased vulnerability of the environment in the region coupled with intensive extraction of natural resources and at the same time with Russia’s ambition to transit to the model of steady development in the interests of present and future generations. Numerous studies by Russian and foreign researches show that current levels of pollution in the Arctic territories are low as compared to the other regions of the globe, but anthropogenic impact on the environment in high latitudes is increasing due to the subsequent development of economic activity in the Arctic zone, including continental shelf.

The North of Russia being an element of the Arctic segment of the Earth’s crust is characterized as a high-latitude part of the territory with severe climatic conditions, largest deposits of mineral raw material, vulnerable environment and the presence of unique ethnos of Russia –the native people which are small in numbers. About 65 % of the territory of Russia is referred to as a zone of the North. According to different ratings the northern regions produce from 14 to 20% of internal gross output. Export potential of the North is estimated at approximately 60% of currency receipt of the country. About 4/5 of production volume comes from enterprises extracting and processing natural raw materials, fuel and energy. The North produces 18 % of electricity and 25 % of timber of the country.

The northern Russia is a not only the principal territory of the state (more than 200 million sq. km, 65 % of the area) populated by 12 mln. people (8 % of the country’s population), but also a global ecological and strategic resource of the planet. The territory of the Far North and equally treated regions of the Russian Federation comprises 30 republics, administrative divisions, regions and autonomous regions (one third of the constituents of the Russian Federation) and contains almost 80% of all mineral deposits in Russia. Almost 100% of diamonds, platinum, cobalt, more than 90 % of natural gas, 90 % of copper, nickel and apatite, 75 % of oil and gas condensate, more than 60 % of gold, 50 % of a fish and seafood, 50 % of a commodity wood is produced here.

According to macroeconomic forecasts, by the year 2025 oil production in Russia will be increased up to 510 million tons (1.6 times) and extraction of gas up to 727 billion m3 (1.24 times). More than that, petroleum industry is expected to expand to the new regions of Northwest federal district (FD), Eastern Siberia and the Far East. By 2010 the oil production in Northwest FD will be increased 2.2 times, in Siberian and Far East FD 2.1 and 3.6 times accordingly, total in Russia 1.4 times. Similar dynamics is expected of the gas industry. Thus, if the gas production in Russia increases 13% in total, in Northwest FD it is forecast to grow 3 times, in Siberian FD – 15 times, in Far East - 1.8 times.Such increase in production will call for the development of pipeline transportation, including not only maintenance of the existing networks, but also construction of new pipeline systems and terminals on the shelf of the Arctic seas and in the mouths of northern rivers.

Consequently, the growth of the Russian economy will definitely increase the role of the northern territories, as they harbor practically entire raw material base required for the industrial development of the country. Such prospects of the development will inevitability lead to crisis and provoke intensely critical ecological situations in the North. The situation is aggravated by the fact that natural ecosystems of the North are characterized by particular vulnerability, weak resistance to external impact, low ability of self-purification and natural regeneration, all of which result in fast accumulation of natural and industrial pollution of environment.