Іnclusive Growth as a New Criterion for a Green Economy: The Theory and Analysis Tools

The aim of the article is to address a pressing scientific task concerning the development of theoretical and practical approaches to the establishment of a green economy in various countries, and to develop a methodology for analyzing green development and green inclusiveness of individual countries and groups of countries. The research methods include applying the theory of green economy and inclusive growth, generalizing analytical tools for assessing the level of green economy development and indices measuring the level of inclusive growth across countries, observation, generalization, moving from the abstract to the concrete, integrating logical and historical, as well as quantitative and qualitative approaches. The article identifies criteria for a green economy: high quality of human and natural capitals; high level of development of scientific, technical, and innovative potentials in sectors of the economy; resource efficiency and energy intensity of economic sectors. A new criterion for a green economy has been posited under modern conditions – the increase in the well-being of the population, known as inclusive economic growth. In the context of societal digitalization, the importance of enhancing the accessibility of technologies and the internet is emphasized, demonstrating the connection between inclusivity and technological development, and showcasing the necessity of creating «digital inclusivity». Tools for the development of a green economy have been validated, which include: climate regulation, greening of the «production-consumption» chains, implementation of renewable energy elements, regulation of the green financing market, carbon regulation, and sustainable infrastructure. It is proved that inclusive growth and the transition to a green economy are closely interwoven and interconnected, as reflected in the long-term strategies for green development and the peculiarities of developing instruments for a green economy. The conclusion is substantiated that the calculation of indices provides direction and highlights the main aspects that should be adjusted considering national goals, strategies, and interests. In developing programs for the use of natural resources, an ecological policy should be established, aimed not only at achieving a certain figure regarding a number of ecological indicators based on the recommendations of international organizations, but also at reducing the disparities in the development of countries in accordance with those recommendations. When identifying the peculiarities of the green transition of countries, it is necessary to additionally take into account the specifics of the countries’ energy balances, priority sectors for the country, unique natural features, and resource potential.