A Study of the Economic Growth Quality in the Eastern Regions of Russia and the Northeastern Regions of China

Abstract

The article presents an assessment result of the economic growth quality in Eastern regions of Russia and the Northeastern regions of China, performed using the eco-intensity indicator and the colors of growth framework. It is shown that during the period from 2011 to 2021, the level of some types of negative environmental impact decreased in both countries. A comparative analysis of eco-intensity indicates that in 2021, Russia surpassed China in terms of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides per unit of economic result. Positive trends were noted for these pollutants in China and its Northeastern regions: eco-intensity decreased significantly during the analyzed period. The study of trends in environmental and economic development using the colors of growth system showed that the entire trajectory of development of China and its regions in terms of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides is in the most prosperous zone (the "green" growth zone). At the same time, some Eastern regions of Russia demonstrate negative dynamics: in some years, "black" growth and/or degrowth were revealed. Calculations have shown that in almost all regions of the East of the Russian Federation from 2011 to 2021, the eco-intensity of waste generation increased; the development trajectories for this type of ecological pressure were mainly in the "black" zones. The results obtained in this study allow us to analyze the ecological and economic trends in the development of regional and national economies and can be used in the process of developing strategic documents, including in the context of cross-border cooperation.