Importance Considering the transition of environmental management systems to the innovative format under ISO 14001:2015, it necessitates models and methods for separate enterprises and organization to harmonize their natural protection strategies with strategies for developing regional social, environmental and economic systems, as a whole, and offers opportunities for improving local environmental management tools. Objectives The research determines the types of regional economic systems in

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... constituent entities of the Russian Federation by volume and specifics of a negative environmental effect so to further optimize natural protection strategies at the regional level. Methods The research relies upon a cluster analysis performed by the hierarchical clustering principle through the k-means method (clustering). Calculations were made using the Statistica software package, with the regions being clustered by a set of statistical indicators of the environmental cost of public interest product manufactured in a certain constituent entity of the Russian Federation, and indicators of households' consumption of natural resources and quality of environmental management in the housing and utilities sector. The information framework comprises State reports, On the Current Situation and Protection of Environment in the Russian Federation, for 2010 through 2014. Results As the cluster analysis shows, it is possible to point out several types of regional socio-economic systems, where each of them can be linked with a certain model of regional environmental management, which would comply with the specifics of adverse effect the economy and population have on the environment. As for two principal models of regional environmental management, we proposed specific tools to encourage enterprises for more responsible environmentally-friendly behavior. Conclusions and Relevance The proposed tools are market-oriented, stimulating the region's economy for adoption of the best available production technologies and subsequently supporting the region's economy and its economic development.