Green economy and sustainable development of Russia: contradictions and prospects

Today the world is witnessing the expansion of the ideas of the green economy. Countries, businesses and consumers choose the best possible scenarios for further development. Russia has experienced a real information boom in the area of green economy. The most developed countries are forced to deviate from the standards of the new economy for various reasons (shale revolution, the high cost of alternative energy). It is recognized that despite the fact that the concept of the green economy remains quite controversial, the number of countries accepting its ideas is ever increasing. The paper analyzes the contradictions and prospects of Russia becoming a green economy. The paper also considers the main causes for slow implementation of green projects in the regions. Among the main reasons are corruption, a powerful lobby of the fuel and energy sector, the lack of financial resources, little attention to the environmental issues, the absence of clear regulation on the part of the state, institutional barriers, the inability of mass-market customer to access many eco-friendly products due to their high cost, et cetera. Russian regions have faced urgent development challenges: minimization of the impact on the environment, strengthening the introduction of ecological innovations, elaboration of the environmentally appropriate infrastructure, and improvement of the living standards of the population. It is emphasized that the promotion of green economy ideas in regions is possible only if based on innovations. Green economy does not require all countries and regions to follow the same pattern. It involves a variety of approaches, depending on the natural conditions, the quality of human assets, opportunities for buying or producing new technologies or receiving them on a complimentary basis. Regions have begun green reorganizations without any directives from the government. The paper illustrates the examples of successful green regional projects and provides recommendations related to making real steps towards green economy. It has been concluded that it is impossible to ensure the creation of high-paid jobs, intensify the innovative development of the economy and, especially, improve the health of residents in large cities without green technologies and solution of social problems.

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