2024 (21), №4

Assessment of the Environmental Well-Being of Russian Industrial Regions in the Context of Geopolitical Challenges

For citation: 

Myslyakova, Y. G., Kolotovkina, P. D., & Shmakova, P. A. (2024). Assessment of the Environmental Well-Being of Russian Industrial Regions in the Context of Geopolitical Challenges. AlterEconomics, 21(4), 843–862. https://doi.org/10.31063/AlterEconomics/2024.21-4.10

Abstract:

The current geopolitical situation requires Russia to become a leading global economy, achieve technological sovereignty, and develop knowledge-intensive, high-tech sectors. However, these transformations often negatively impact the environment. The purpose of the study is to assess the environmental well-­being of Russian industrial regions by examining the alignment of their technological and environmental development trajectories. The study employs a method that identifies the technological and environmental development points for each region, calculates the vectors representing positive and negative trends, and assesses the consistency of these trajectories. The regions are then classified according to their trajectory alignment and the regions with the strongest focus on environmental well-being are identified. The methodology was tested in regions with established manufacturing sectors that could drive economic growth if innovative technologies are adopted. The study found that only 35 % of the industrial regions studied — Vladimir, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Bashkortostan, Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, and Sverdlovsk — have aligned development trajectories. Most regions are still in the early stages of developing a consistent approach to promoting environmental sustainabi­lity, and it is not yet a central focus of the Russian economy. Furthermore, the country’s technological development policies often overlook the environmental impact of decisions made by policymakers. To better align economic and environmental trajectories, it is crucial to develop strategies that address both technological progress and environmental protection, along with mechanisms to coordinate and implement these strategies effectively.

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Yuliya G. Myslyakova — Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Head of the Laboratory of Economic Genetics of the Regions, Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of RAS; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7635-3601; Scopus Author ID: 57190430830; Researcher ID: B-6076-2018 (29, Moskovskaya St., Ekaterinburg, 620014, Russian Federation; e-mail: mysliakova.ug@uiec.ru).

Polina D. Kolotovkina — Graduate student, Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of RAS; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7988-9129 (29, Moskovskaya St., Ekaterinburg, 620014, Russian Federation; e-mail: kolotovkina.pd@uiec.ru).

Polina A. Shmakova — Graduate student, Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of RAS; https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8626-9345 (29, Moskovskaya St., Ekaterinburg, 620014, Russian Federation; e-mail: shmakova.pa@uiec.ru).

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