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In terms of cataloged debris produced, the anti-satellite test carried out by Russia, in November 2021, at an altitude of about 480 km, leading to the destruction of the old satellite Cosmos 1408, was the second worst to date and represented the third worst fragmentation in orbit. It generated more than 1/4 of the cataloged debris produced over 55 years by all such tests and almost twice as many as were produced by all previous Soviet tests. After placing this event in its historical context, this paper analyzes in detail how the evolution of the Cosmos 1408 debris cloud affected the environment below 600 km in the first seven months, focusing on the two operational space stations and the Starlink large constellation of satellites. During the first six months following the test, the Cosmos 1408 cloud of fragments nearly doubled the average flux of cataloged objects on the International Space Station and increased by about 3/4 that on China's Tiangong. In the same period, the Starlink large constellation saw an average increase in the flux of cataloged objects of about 20%. Some orbital planes, the "counter-rotating" ones with respect to the Cosmos 1408 debris cloud, were more affected than others, and the affected planes gradually changed over time, due to the differential precession of cloud and constellation nodes. However, being the Starlink constellation 70 km higher up, the flux of Cosmos 1408 cataloged debris steadily decreased over the period analyzed, due to the cloud orbital decay, reducing to just over a quarter of its extrapolated initial value after seven months. • A review of ASAT tests as a source of orbital debris was presented. • The impact of the Cosmos 1408 destruction was put into context. • The cataloged debris flux increase on space stations was computed and discussed. • The debris flux increase and evolution on Starlink orbit planes was analyzed. • A moratorium on this type of ASAT tests was recommended, including low LEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first-order grey model is appropriate for monotonic time series, while the grey Verhulst model is appropriate for periodic time series. The grey Verhulst model is widely used for predicting practical nonlinear time series that contain fluctuations. Despite the successful application of the grey models in practice, researchers show that grey models still have room for improvement. Moreover, recent research shows that grey models are sensitive to initial conditions. In many practical problems, the value of initial conditions is not accurate and suffers from noise or approximation errors, resulting in inaccurate prediction. To address these difficulties, an improved grey Verhulst method using particle swarm optimization is proposed in this paper. The proposed model consists of two stages. In the first stage, a second-order polynomial with unknown coefficients is used to approximate the 1- AGO. In the second stage, the initial element of the time series is modified to improve the accuracy of the prediction. The particle swarm optimization method is used to search for the unknown coefficients. It is found that PSO is a suitable optimization method for the proposed method because it is stable and generates a sequence of points that converges to a globally optimal solution. To demonstrate the efficiency and stability of the proposed method, it was applied to five practical problems, namely, gas production in China, the number of hazardous chemical accidents, CO2 emissions in Russia, the number of domestic tourists in China, and traffic flows in Canada. Numerical results show that the method is more accurate and robust than existing methods. • The proposed method needs only four elements for predicting the future elements of time series. • The paper proposes a second order polynomial for approximating 1-AGO. • The method makes more accurate prediction than existed methods. • The proposed method is applied on various practical forecasting problems successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting energy needs and ensuring ecological sustainability are important tasks for policymakers. In particular, changing the energy mix used in daily electricity generation can have a major effect on ecological conditions, and this is a previously neglected research topic. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the influence of daily electricity generation from nuclear power and renewables on the achievement of carbon neutrality targets in the four largest nuclear power countries (i.e., the U.S., China, France, and Russia). The study applies the wavelet-transform coherence (WTC), quantile-on-quantile regression (QQR), and Granger causality in quantiles (GCQ) approaches for the period from January 2, 2019 to December 29, 2022. The outcomes present that electricity generation from nuclear energy reduces carbon (CO 2) emissions only in Russia, while hydropower generation does not contribute to CO 2 emission reduction in any country. Solar electricity generation decreases CO 2 emissions in different quantiles in the U.S. and Russia, while electricity generation from wind power reduces CO 2 emissions in the U.S. and France. The empirical outcomes also reveal that expanding solar, wind, and nuclear power in the energy mix can enhance the potential of the U.S., France, and Russia to achieve carbon neutrality and secure a sustainable future. However, China is using nuclear and renewables inefficiently regarding carbon neutrality. Therefore, the empirical evidence for China is highly controversial compared to former studies. [Display omitted] • The study examines renewable and nuclear electricity effect on carbon neutrality. • The study focuses on top four major nuclear power countries. • The study applies nonlinear approaches by using high-frequency (daily) data. • Renewable and nuclear electricity have time, frequency, & quantile-varying effect. • The best electricity source change according to each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forms the core of China's foreign policy and future foreign cooperation, and energy cooperation is an important component of the BRI. Energy security is closely related to the interdependent relations between countries. The present paper investigates energy interdependent relations between China and the countries along the Belt and Road using data collected in the BP Statistical Review of World Energy , between 2000 and 2015. The main results are as follows: (1) Abundant proven reserves of energy resources exist in these countries, which were equivalent to 758.73 billion tons of standard coal in 2015, accounting for 52.27% of the world. The distribution of these resources presents a pattern with two centers—one in Russia, and one in West Asia and the Middle East. (2) Established interdependence relations exist between China and the countries along the Belt and Road in terms of energy cooperation. China has imported 437.21 million tons of standard coal from these countries and their guarantee degree to China's energy security is 58.42%, of which 13.56% refers to coal, 73.37% to oil, and 13.06% to gas. Meanwhile, their dependence degree in energy exports to China was 13.56%, or 11.15% for coal, 14.92% for oil, and 10.55% for gas. An interdependence relation thus exists between China and these countries, and the degree of mutual dependence between them was 0.23 (0.22 for coal, 0.13 for oil, and 0.38 for gas), locating China in a relatively passive position with respect to the countries along the Belt and Road as a whole, but a relatively active position in relation to individual countries (with the exception of Russia). Our findings are useful to the tasks of identifying the spatial distribution pattern of energy in countries along the Belt and Road, assisting in the promotion of energy cooperation between China and these countries, and the future construction of the BRI. Highlights • Energy cooperation relationships between China and the countries along the Belt and Road are examined. • The indicators of guarantee degree, dependence degree, and mutual dependence degree are selected for this study. • Energy resources present a pattern with two centers; one in Russia and one in West Asia and the Middle East. • Countries along the Belt and Road maintained an energy GD of 58.42% for China; their DD on China was 13.56%. • The MDD between China and the countries of the Belt and Road was 0.23, and China's position in the relation was passive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate and reasonable prediction of natural gas consumption is important for enhancing national energy security and alleviating the environmental problems caused by energy consumption. Starting with the traditional nonlinear grey Bernoulli model, in this paper, we expand the development coefficient a and grey action quantity b, propose a new self-adaptive time-varying grey Bernoulli prediction model, deduce the time response formula of the model, and explore the relationship between model parameters and model accuracy. Then, the nonlinear parameter and power parameter coefficient of the new model are optimized by a genetic algorithm, and the effectiveness of the model is analyzed by the natural gas consumption of China, the United States, and Russia. The results show that, compared with other traditional grey prediction models, the new model has a better simulation effect, higher prediction accuracy, and stronger applicability. Meanwhile, the model was used to forecast the natural gas consumption of China, the United States, and Russia in the period from 2022 to 2026. The prediction results show that China's natural gas consumption will continue to steadily increase in the future, which is consistent with the global goal of adhering to the orderly development of natural gas. The prediction results can provide a theoretical basis for relevant departments to formulate relevant natural gas policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the current status of medical support in military operations other than war (MOOTW) in domestic and overseas. Methods: This paper mainly adopts the descriptive, comparative and induction research methods. The current status of medical support in MOOTW in China, America, Russia, Israel, Canada, had been studied through some official papers, and series of professional books by analysis the precise date in various kinds of emergency event. Results: The contrast shows that there is still a quite huge development in medical support in MOOTW, no matter in China, or in other countries. Conclusion: In order to strengthen the forces, besides building professional rescue teams, it is necessary to take a regular revise of plans, according to missions'' needs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract The uncertainties in gas demand levels and geopolitical issues may lead to significant changes in global gas trade. This paper uses an agent-based model to simulate the alternative market futures under two demand trajectories: a baseline following current policy pledges until 2060 and another where demand shifts to a lower level in 2030. Endogenously generated capacity investments are driven by long-term bilateral contracts between importers and exporters, where investors are assumed to evaluate the potential risks of demand changes while making their decisions. The results suggest that, when the demand decreases in 2030, the Middle East takes the dominant position in Eastern Asia, whereas this role is occupied by North America in the current policy scenario. In addition, the impacts of a 25% tariff by China on U.S. natural gas are studied for both scenarios. The revenue of North American gas trade is only marginally affected by this tariff. Under the normal demand trajectory, the tariff influences the Chinese market more notably in the longer term when global supply is tightened by decommissioning. In the case of lower global gas demand, the market share of Russia in Western Europe could be threatened by increasing North American export there. Highlights • A global gas model considering investment under demand uncertainty is presented. • The trade and revenue impact of low gas demand and a China-US gas trade tariff are studied. • The tariff may increase the Chinese gas import price more notably after 2045. • North America is not affected significantly due to sales to East Asia and Europe. • Russia is negatively affected by increasing competition with North America on gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ monitoring system is absolutely necessary for a long-distance linear pipeline infrastructure in permafrost regions due to the complicated interaction between buried pipeline and its harsh permafrost environment. To study this complex problem, a comprehensive in-situ monitoring system has been designed and established along the China–Russia Crude Oil Pipeline (CRCOP), which is one of vital energy channels for importing crude oil from Russia to China. This monitoring system can record the meteorological data, ground temperature and water content within the permafrost foundation, vertical settlement of the oil pipe, ground surface deformation on the pipeline right-of-way (on-ROW), as well as the thaw bulb around the pipeline at four sites with different engineering geological conditions. In this paper, the layout and instrumentation of the whole monitoring system and monitoring methods are described in detail, and then the thermal regime of permafrost on-ROW and off-ROW and cooling performance of the mitigative measures on foundation soils are evaluated. Results show that heat dissipated from the CRCOP lead to the rapid degradation of permafrost on-ROW and produce different sizes of thaw bulb around the oil pipelines. The mitigative measures, including insulation layer, two-phase closed thermosyphon and U-shaped air-ventilated pipes, are effective to minimize permafrost degradation and ensure the thermal stability of permafrost foundation along the CRCOP. Some recommendations are proposed for future research and for the monitoring system to be improved. This monitoring system can provide multi-field data to clarify the interaction between pipeline and permafrost degradation under different geological conditions, and guide the design and maintenance of the buried warm pipeline in permafrost regions. • An in-situ monitoring system is set up along the CRCOP in permafrost regions. • The geological characteristics and layout of instrumentation at four monitoring sites are reported. • The integrated monitoring method for pipeline-permafrost interaction are presented. • Thermal effect of buried warm oil pipe on underlying permafrost is observed. • Cooling performance of the insulation layer, thermosyphon and U-shaped air-ventilated pipes is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The design and building of a pipeline in permafrost regions challenge engineers and scientists in many regards, and the geohazards resulting from the (differential) frost heaving and thaw settlement of the pipeline foundation soils present one of the most daunting tasks. The China–Russia Crude Oil Pipeline, a spur line from the Siberia–Pacific Pipeline System, presented unique scientific and engineering problems because of: 1) extensive presence of the more ice-rich permafrost in boreal forests and swamps; 2) an insistence on a buried construction mode because of concerns about the potential for frequent forest fires and other safety issues; 3) great uncertainties in the temperatures of oil being transported although the given estimated oil temperature of −6.4 to +3.6°C entering the Mo''he Pump Station, and the estimated oil temperatures could vary from about −6 to +10°C along the southward pipeline route; 4) the limited lead time for detailed surveys on engineering geology along the pipeline routes and for engineering design; 5) very much limited investment and a limited number of engineers experienced in designing and building a major pipeline in an area where about one-half of its length would be impacted by generally warm (−3 to 0°C) permafrost. Nevertheless, the pipeline engineers and permafrost scientists strived to economically build and satisfactorily operate the first major crude oil pipeline in the boreal ecosystem in China. The major results on the formation mechanisms and mitigative measures for the (differential) frost heave and thaw settlement were presented in the eight papers in this special issue on permafrost pipeline, and one additional paper on the Golmud–Lhasa Oil Products Pipeline on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau was also included. They may provide insights to the understanding of pipeline–permafrost interactions and benefit the future design and construction of pipelines in similar northern environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Visions about the establishment of a lunar base and development of the Moon for scientific, technical and commercial ends have been on the political agenda since the beginning of the Space Age. In the past few years a number of spacefaring nations, including the USA, European states through ESA, Japan, India, China and Russia have proposed missions directed at the robotic and human exploration and development of the Moon. This paper argues that an important factor in advancing these missions lies in a partnership between the pubic, governmental sector and the private sector. The paper analyzes the dynamics of this partnership as applied to the case of the US Vision for Space Exploration. The results of the analysis suggest that public–private partnerships directed at lunar development and commerce depend on how government reduces risks for the private sector. The risks identified and discussed herein include political and legal risks, technological risks, and financial and market risks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rapid permafrost thawing triggered by heat release from the buried warm-oil pipeline would result in the instability of the pipeline, posing a potential risk of an oil spill in permafrost regions. Therefore, how to precisely control the ground temperature to mitigate pipeline foundation permafrost from thawing is of significant importance. Thermosyphon is a widely-accepted and extensively-used countermeasure against permafrost thawing in permafrost engineering. This paper presents 3-year (2015–2018) monitored data of ground temperature and geophysical survey results conducted by electrical resistivity tomography in April 2018, to investigate the thermal stabilizing effect of thermosyphons installed nearby the China-Russia crude oil pipeline (CRCOP) and the influencing factors. Furthermore, numerical simulation tests were conducted to evaluate their long-term cooling applicability and to optimize their layout parameters. Field observations show that the thermosyphons can cool down and even freeze the thawed soil layers around the CRCOP, prohibiting the infiltration of water into the thawing front to some extent and effectively mitigating the rapid thawing of permafrost beneath the pipeline. The performance of the thermosyphons is greatly influenced by the method and time of thermosyphon installation, as well as layout parameters including the number and longitudinal spacing. Two pairs of thermosyphons with a shorter spacing are unable to control the thawing of the underlying permafrost due to the non-anticipated higher oil temperature, the thermal erosion of water ponding, and climate warming. The simulated results indicate that thermosyphons perform well in the first 5 years after installation. Thermosyphon lowers the mean annual temperature of soils surrounding it by about 2 and 1.4 times when the evaporator section length is increased by 50% and the longitudinal spacing is decreased by 0.5 m, respectively. The application of thermosyphons has proven its strength for thermally stabilizing the pipeline foundation permafrost along the CRCOP. • 3-year ground temperature data and geophysical survey results are presented. • Thermosyphon can mitigate the rapid thawing of permafrost beneath the pipeline. • Thermosyphons performs most significantly in the first five years. • Lengthening thermosyphon and decreasing spacings are favorable for the better cooling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes both value-added trade and trade-implied CO 2 emission reduction responsibility into account, which constructs a unified conceptual framework to recalculate CO 2 emission reduction responsibility from the perspective of value-added trade. This allows policymakers to trace worldwide CO 2 emissions at multiple levels of trade, production, consumption, and shared principle alongside the world trade network. This paper employs the gross export decomposition methodology and the World Input-Output Database for calculations. Firstly, compared with traditional trade statistics, measuring embedded emissions in value-added trade can deduct the double-counted terms of CO 2 emissions due to intermediate products crossing several borders repeatedly. Secondly, the worldwide inter-country CO 2 emission footprints embedded in exports, imports, and net flows of value-added trade are traced in a geographical world map. It occurs that, China, the USA, Russia, and the EU are the top four largest emitters. Thirdly, network analysis is further utilized to capture bilateral implicit CO 2 emission relationships, e.g., the EU members' environmental impacts depend on intra-regional trade within the union. Finally, a comparison is made under three burden-sharing principles based on value-added trade. The shared responsibility offers a compromise between the producer's and the consumer's principle, which is considered to be fairer and more effective. • This paper calculates trade-implied CO 2 emission reduction responsibility from the perspective of value-added trade. • A gross export decomposition model is applied to deduct double-counted terms of implicit carbon embedded in traditional trade. • The worldwide inter-country CO 2 emission footprints are visualized. • Network analysis is conducted to identify the major carbon emitters and their complex relations. • Three burden-sharing criteria are computed through the statistics of value-added trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• STI policy of Russia and China is studied from a S&T foresight perspective. • An analytical framework is derived and formulated for STI policy analysis. • Policy variables have been scrutinized vis-à-vis the three policy dimensions. • Comparison and contrast made, revealing the differences and similarities. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy of Russia and China is studied in this paper from a policy foresight perspective and with regard to policy instruments, policy objectives, and policy implementation. A structural analytical framework is developed in this study specifically for STI policy analysis in these dimensions. Analyzing a database of 418 STI policies issued in the two countries, 25 policy variables have been scrutinized for the two countries vis-à-vis the three policy dimensions. The paper then maps and compares the two countries in STI policy instruments, objectives and implementation, adopting a positivist epistemology stance. Estimating a binary logistic model, Russia has been differentiated from China in their choice of policy instruments, their devotion to policy objectives and their approaches to policy implementation, revealing the differences and similarities between the two countries in the three STI policy dimensions. Deriving observable and corroborated evidence for STI policy perspectives in Russia and China, the results and findings help gain legitimate knowledge in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We consider some indicators that have not been considered in previous studies, such as the impact of historical and social factors, which are very important and necessary in measuring national space exploration capabilities. • We introduce a more reasonable quantity (Equity Evaluation Index) to measure global equity, which is more objective for both stronger and weaker countries in space exploration. • The optimization model takes different aspects of the space industry into consideration (e.g., funding, technology, scientific research), providing suggestions for countries at different developing levels to take advantage of its strengths and cover its weaknesses. In this paper we introduce an equity evaluation index (EEI) to measure the global equity on asteroid mining, and present a global equity evaluation model by applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), entropy weight method and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Based on multi-objective optimization, we provide a global cooperative decision model to allocate the inputs and outputs among countries based on their strengths and demands. Furthermore, we analyze the the trends of EEI of each country under the influence of the outbreak events by using the autoregressive integrated moving average model. Our results show that among all countries with foundations in aerospace, China has the highest EEI while Russia ranks the lowest. Humans mining minerals in a cooperative manner will achieve a win-win situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In permafrost regions, the soil settlement disaster owing to permafrost degradation has become one of the important reasons for buried warm-oil pipelines failure. In this paper, the 3D sequential thermo-mechanical coupled model is carried out to investigate the interaction between buried warm-oil pipeline and surrounding permafrost. The effects of parameters, including thaw-settlement coefficient, length of transition zone, diameter-thickness ratio and internal pressure, on the pipeline mechanical behavior are numerically investigated. Among them, the thaw-settlement coefficient and length of transition zone present more significant effects on the peak strain of the pipeline. In addition, the effects of insulation layer and two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) on pipeline–soil interaction are investigated in thermal and mechanical fields. With no protective measure, the permafrost layer under pipeline will completely degrade in about 20 years with 0.33m/a. The pipeline is considered to reach failure limitation even within 10 years. However, under the influence of combined measure, the permafrost degradation rate is only about 1/10 of that without protective measure. The peak compressive strain is significantly lower than the critical compressive strain, and the pipeline remains safe for 50 years. Therefore, the combined measure is an ideal method for ensuring pipeline safety in permafrost regions. • Permafrost layer is well protected by the combined measure. • The TSC and the LTZ show significant effects on the peak strain of pipeline. • Pipeline remains safe for 50 years under the influence of combined measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing ecological models involves using independent data on model performance, which can be difficult or practically impossible to obtain. Individual based models of forest dynamics, or gap models, simulate the change of forests by computing the annual growth, birth and death of each tree at a location in a forest. The models are relatively simple and simulate results that can be translated to multiple response scales: Individual plant growth, population birth-death processes, stand environmental dynamics ( e.g ., evapotranspiration, element cycling, heat flux, etc .), landscape processes, and regional and global change. This paper reviews some of the approaches applied to testing gap models. Then, it demonstrates the testing of the performance of an individual-based gap model of forest dynamics, FAREAST, through comparison against independent data from China and across Russia. As part of this model testing, biomass simulation output for 93 locations is compared to independent field-collected inventory-data from 44 Russian forests, which span a broad range of forest types across Russia. FAREAST captures biomass dynamics and stabilization at specific locations bracketing the measured values. At Changbai Mountain, the model accurately predicts the community dynamics of complex mixed forest types present along an elevational gradient, as well as the broad regional compositional patterns across China and Russia. Validation of regional detailed landscape dynamics shows the model performs with fidelity with an average R2 value of 0.74 for 87 comparisons and an average root mean square error of 10.8 tC ha −1. Performance of the model for historical conditions implies the model's applicability across a broad region and suggests the usefulness of a detailed model for evaluating forest change to management and changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the current status of the main CCS initiatives in the major emerging economies: China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. This study first covers all six countries as a group and describes their natural resources. The second part of this study embraces each country individually and includes current initiatives and current legal and technological status of CCS. At the end, this study summarizes the main findings in the emerging economies and the potential of including CCS as part of the CDM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper addresses the impact of both economic growth and financial development on environmental degradation using a panel cointegration technique for the period between 1980 and 2007, except for Russia (1992–2007). In long-run equilibrium, CO2 emissions appear to be energy consumption elastic and FDI inelastic, and the results seem to support the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The causality results indicate that there exists strong bidirectional causality between emissions and FDI and unidirectional strong causality running from output to FDI. The evidence seems to support the pollution haven and both the halo and scale effects. Therefore, in attracting FDI, developing countries should strictly examine the qualifications for foreign investment or to promote environmental protection through the coordinated know-how and technological transfer with foreign companies to avoid environmental damage. Additionally, there exists strong output-emissions and output-energy consumption bidirectional causality, while there is unidirectional strong causality running from energy consumption to emissions. Overall, the method of managing both energy demand and FDI and increasing both investment in the energy supply and energy efficiency to reduce CO2 emissions and without compromising the country’s competitiveness can be adopted by energy-dependent BRIC countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The China–Russia Crude Oil Pipeline (CRCOP), 813mm in diameter, is designed to transport 603,000 barrels of Siberian crude oil per day across 1030km of frozen-ground. About 500 boreholes, with depths of 5 to 20m, were drilled and cored for analyses, and the frozen-ground conditions were evaluated. After detailed surveys and analyses of the permafrost conditions along the pipeline route, a conventional burial construction mode at a nominal depth of 1.5m was adopted. This paper discusses the principles and criteria for the zonation and assessment of the frozen-ground environments and conditions of engineering geology for the design, construction, and operation of the pipeline system based on an extensive and in-depth summary and analysis of the survey and exploration data. The characteristics of pipelining crude oil at ambient temperatures in the permafrost regions and the interactive processes between the pipeline and foundation soils were taken into account. Two zones of frozen-ground environment and conditions of engineering geology, i.e., seasonally-frozen-ground and permafrost, were defined on the basis of the regional distribution and differentiations in frozen-ground environments and conditions. Then, four subzones of the permafrost zone were classified according to the areal extent, taking into consideration the temperatures and thicknesses of permafrost, as well as changes in vegetation coverage. In the four subzones, 151 sections of engineering geology were categorized according to the ice/moisture contents of the permafrost, as well as the classes of frost-heaving and thaw-settlement potentials. These 151 sections are comprehensively summarized into four types for engineering construction and operation: good, fair, poor, and very poor, for overall conditions of engineering geology. The zonation, assessment principles and criteria have been applied in the design of the pipeline. They have also been used as the scientific bases for the construction, environmental management, operation and maintenance/contingency plans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Chinese-Russian Oil Pipeline (CROP), from Mohe to Daqing has a length of about 965km and traverses the Da Hinggan Mountains and part of Song(hua)-Nen(jiang) Plain in Northeastern China. This paper attempts to estimate some of the important elements concerning the environmental hazards and contingency plans along the pipeline. The first part reviews the potential impacts of the Mohe-Daqing Pipeline on the cold regions environment. It includes 1) the major environmental characteristics such as complicated permafrost, rugged terrain, harsh weather, and the diverse flora and fauna, vegetation the pipeline passes through; 2) the consideration of route selection; 3) potential environmental impacts of the CROP on the environmental factors; 4) countermeasures to alleviate changes to the local environment during the design, construction and operation stages. The second part presents the risk of oil spills, the subsequent environmental challenges after the start of operation of CROP, and contingency plans in response to potential oil spills. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]