575 ProsPects for ecological Modernization in russia: analysis of the Policy environMent NiNa TyNkkyNeN UNiversiTy of Tampere Abstract: This article assesses the prospects for ecological modernization in Russia by scrutinizing the policy environment which conditions the structuration of environmental policy. Recently introduced state environmental policy principles for the period up to 2030, which the Russian government states to be the main goal for the country’s ecological modernization, form the starting point of this analysis. The main aim of the article is to shed light on the factors that enable or constrain the implementation of these principles and ecological modernization in general. The article concludes that while institutional improvement is taking place, other dimensions of the policy environment are less favorable for ecological modernization. Thus, the outcome we see so far resembles a weak version of ecological modernization, which emphasizes technological solutions and the development of governance structures as a core change. The strong version, necessitating change in cultural-discursive patterns and social institutions, is not likely to take place in the near future. I n April 2012, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev adopted a new set of principles for state policy in the area of environmental development Nina Tynkkynen is Senior Research Fellow at the School of Management & School of Language, Translation and Literary Studies, 33014 University of Tampere, nina.tynkkynen@uta.fi. This article is a part of “Choices of Russian Modernization,” a research project funded by the Academy of Finland.