Environmental management policy: an assessment of ecological and energy indicators and effective regional management (on the example of Ukraine)

Abstract

In this article, in accordance with the results of calculations, the authors argue that at the end of 2019, the main problems of the vast majority of regions of Ukraine are low environmental and energy efficiency and insufficient environmental protection measures. The cluster analysis allowed us to identify common territorial groups in terms of their conditions of existence and to develop practical recommendations for priority measures of state management. The quality of clustering was checked using the silhouette measure indicator, which was used to justify the optimal number of regions, which proved to be five. Cluster І includes the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions. The gradual replacement of heavy industry with high-tech activities is inevitable. Cluster ІІІ includes the Volyn, Ternopil, Kherson, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr and Rivne regions. It is necessary to further develop the economy of the regions in compliance with environmental standards while taking into account the recommendations of the first cluster. Cluster IV consists of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It is impossible to fully restore the economy of the eastern regions and its infrastructure in these conditions. Therefore, the task of public administration today is to ensure social standards of living and support the least protected segments of the population. Cluster V was built on the basis of Zakarpattia and Chernivtsi regions. The priority of state regulation should be the development of small and medium enterprises. Cluster II includes all other areas. Their economic growth must be transformed not only into the social sphere but also into technological re-equipment. The change of commodity orientation and the departure from raw material production in favor of technological is a necessary condition for maintaining the competitiveness of the economy in today’s globalization. Increasing the cost of environmental measures should be a priority.