JUDICIAL PROTECTION OF CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT

The article presents a comparative analysis of two mechanisms for protecting citizens’ environmental rights: the prosecutor’s appeal to the court to protect the interests of an unspecified group of people and the filing of a class action. The author examines the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods, based on the theoretical research of experts in the field of environmental law and the analysis of modern judicial practice. Special attention is paid to the effectiveness of class actions as a tool for protecting citizens’ rights in environmental disputes, including their ability to unite the interests of a large number of victims and simplify access to justice. Based on the conducted research, the author concludes that class actions have significant potential to improve access to justice in environmental disputes, especially in cases of massive violations of environmental rights. At the same time, the existing problems and limitations associated with the application of this institution in the Russian legal  system are noted. In conclusion, the need for further development and improvement of the institution of class actions in Russia is emphasized, including amendments to legislation and raising awareness of citizens about the possibilities of their use. The author also offers recommendations on optimizing the procedure for filing and considering class actions in environmental disputes.