Implementation of a Circular Economy in Ukraine: The Context of European Integration

Abstract

The current model of resource management mainly contributes to mass short-term consumption, which creates an unstable and extremely critical situation on the planet. Going beyond the traditional industrial model of Take-Make-Waste, the circular economy aims to reduce waste (and therefore minimize costs) and to redefine sustainable development. This entails a gradual separation of economic activity from the consumption of scarce resources and the removal of waste from the system. In order to foreground the principles of a circular economy in Ukraine, this study analyzes its benefits based on the relevant experience of the EU. The paper also presents the results of research and content analysis on the situation of waste management in Ukraine and compares the trends using key indicators. The core of the paper is developing a conceptual model of making and coordinating management decisions on the implementation of business projects in the context of a circular economy in Ukraine. A multifactor model (the Farrar–Glauber method was further developed) has been built by identification of the main factors, i.e., the volume of generated waste from economic activity per unit of GDP at constant prices, emissions of pollutants, and capital investments for the protection of the environment. Factor coefficients indicate how many units will change the resultant trait Y, measured in thousand tonnes, if one of them changes by 1 (each in units of measure). It means that if the volume of waste generated from economic activity per unit of GDP at constant 2011 purchasing power parity (PPP) prices decreases by 1 kg/$1000, waste management of I–IV classes will be reduced by 952,737 thousand tonnes. The approbated model can be used to analyze the situation with recycling in the EU countries, considering the amount of capital investment in environmental protection.

Interlinkages between Government Resources Management, Environmental Support, and Good Public Governance. Advanced Insights from the European Union

“…Because improving governance is the key to promoting and ensuring sustainable economic growth for countries at all stages of development, the econometric analysis supports a series of policies/guidelines that could be considered by the policy makers and public institution leaders within the EU, namely: (i) bolster commitment in conducting public affairs, responsibility in managing public resources, and sound measures targeted to maintain the balance between spending revenues and saving funds for the future; (ii) amplified coordination and credibility/transparency of the actions that support financial stability, along with citizen's positive perceptions of public authorities because this endeavor has shown that agents' and citizens' participation and perceptions are beneficial to strengthening good public governance; (iii) on previous lines, enhancing the role of stakeholders at local, regional, national, and international levels and allowing them to effectively contribute to the decision-making process; (iv) further, leveraged cooperation between all actors involved in designing and implementing the public policies and providing public services to citizens, particularly in the case of environmental protection, which is one of the uppermost credentials in supporting sustainable economic development [42,43]; (v) enhanced accountability in the public sector because the estimations have proved that there is a strong positive bidirectional link between public spending and the voice and accountability dimension of good public governance, with further positive spillovers into economic welfare (increases in GDP per capita and decreases in the poverty risk).…”

Green Purchase Behavior of University Students in Hungary: An Empirical Study

“…The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), like China and India, came forward in support of green growth and reducing carbon investments after this was implemented by North America and Europe. Likewise, firms and businesses are becoming more concerned about their actions or practices and their consequences, and are increasing their investments in environmental protection issues, hence becoming more environmentally oriented [2], which also means that the circular economy has gained importance [7]. The main drivers of environmental concern and green innovations are external pressure, such as strong government regulations, the desire to improve reputations by achieving competitive advantage, and the need to increase production performance with accompanying cost reductions.…”

Simulation of the Influence of External Factors on the Level of Use of the Regional Tourism Potential: A Practical Aspect

“…In particular, in numerous scientific works, increased attention is paid to the development of the tourism industry, due to its important contribution to the economy of each country. This is confirmed by a number of studies on the problems of tourism in the circular economy (Shpak et al 2020;Meijerink and Keegan 2019;Sutherland and Jarrahi 2018;Voltes-Dorta et al 2014). It is analyzed how tourism can support the development of the circular economy, applying a theory that emphasizes changes in what tourists do, rather than in tourism products and services (Flemming and Baerenholdt 2020).…”