Socioeconomic effectiveness and “green” growth of regional forest use

Abstract

Presented is the model for analysis of ecologo-economic processes in terms of “green” economy. The model was built upon P. Victor’s conceptual scheme. The key parameters are represented by the specific indicators of impact on natural systems per unit of economic result. The model was used in investigating the processes of forest use at the level of regions of Russia. Analysis showed that most of the regions with high indicators of budgetary and socioeconomic effectiveness as well are holding the greatest promise for “green” growth. This indicates that if these indicators rather than the felling, export and processing volumes are used as the basis for the country’s forestry policy, then the relevant incentives thus created would encourage a further development of Russian forest use in the light of the principles of “green” economy. The findings intimate that the measures of state policy for improvements in forest use disregard the regional differences and are insufficiently effective for regions where the geographical and infrastructural conditions are beneficial for fostering development of exports of raw wood and sawn timber subjected to rough conversion. According to our calculations, an enhancement in effectiveness of forest use is also feasible without any additional load pressure on ecosystems through rational utilization of forest resources.