Sustainable development of Russia as a base for improving the quality of life

For the purpose of fulfilling the strategic task to increase the GDP, it is necessary to increase extraction, production and use of energy resources, which will also increase the pressure on the environment, the state of which is already in crisis. With this in mind, it is crucial to find out how the dynamics of economic development impact on the environment and quality of life in different countries. The paper analyzes the development of Russia and other countries since the adoption of the Rio Declaration for 19 years (from 1995 to 2014). It discusses the economy of the USA, Japan, EU (France, Germany, the UK) and the BRICS (Brazil, India, China). During the period of time under study the US, Japan and the EU countries' GDP doubled, whereas energy consumption increased by 15...20 % and CO₂ emissions reduced by 5...10 %. China increased its GDP more than 6 times, energy consumption up to 5 times, and CO2 emissions increased by 2.6 times. India increased its GDP by almost 23 times, energy consumption - 3 times, and CO2 emissions - 2.4 times. Russia's GDP increased by 3.7 times, energy consumption - by 1.5 % and CO₂ emissions - reduced by 8 %. Energy consumption per capita in Russia is at approximately the same level as in the EU and Japan. However, the GDP per capita in Russia is 1.8 times lower; energy intensity of GDP, 1.5 times higher; pollution, 3 times higher; and life expectancy, 10 years less than in those countries. Thus, at the current pace of social and economic development, in the next 10.. .15 years Russia will hardly be able to move into the category of highly developed countries without solving the problems of energy saving and energy efficiency. Without advanced development of energy system and the decision of ecological problems, it is impossible to improve the quality of life. For sustainable development of Russia it is necessary to take the following measures: -to significantly increase the GDP growth rate; -to distribute the income more fairly to eliminate poverty and reduce social inequality; -to change the generation mix by increasing the share of nuclear and hydraulic power stations and renewable energy sources as well as to improve the fuel combustion technology and using of heat and renewable energy sources; - to evaluate the results of social production not only for GDP growth but also for the conservation of wildlife, water, air, soil, because of their status depends on the highest value on Earth - human health; -to increase investment in science, education, health and culture for improving the quality of life; - to solve the problem of increasing the quality of the environment systematically with regard to the economy in general; - to promote environmental awareness. Thus, today Russia is committed to sustainable economic development and improvement of the quality of life; however, this process is challenging and controversial.

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