Assessment of the impact of greening of production processes on the sustainability of regional economic complexes in the innovation paradigm

Abstract

In modern conditions of increasing pressure of environmental risks and resource constraints, it is becoming critically important to integrate the principles of environmental sustainability into the production processes of regional economic complexes. The new innovative paradigm, focused on greening, is designed to ensure a balance between economic growth and the preservation of natural capital. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of greening of production processes on the sustainability of regional economic complexes, identify the main mechanisms and drivers of "green" transformation, as well as identify potential barriers and factors supporting the introduction of "green" technologies at various levels of management. The study is based on the material of four regional economic complexes with different levels of industrialization and investments in environmental projects. Methods of statistical indicators analysis, multicriteria indexing, correlation and regression modeling and expert survey of key stakeholders were used. An integral indicator of "green sustainability" has been developed, taking into account the efficiency of resource consumption, the level of pollutant emissions, the degree of implementation of innovative environmental technologies and the economic return on "green" investments. The data analysis was carried out using SPSS and R software tools, which ensured the accuracy and reproducibility of the results. The results of the study showed that the greening of production processes leads to a reduction in energy and material consumption of production by 12-18%, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 15-22% and an increase in the use of renewable resources up to 25%. The integral indicator of "green sustainability" demonstrated a significant positive impact on the economic and social parameters of regional complexes: there was an increase in GRP by 3-5% and the creation of up to 8% additional jobs in the "green" sector. The key drivers of successful transformation have been identified: government subsidies, scientific and technological cooperation, and professional development. The data obtained indicate the high potential of greening as a factor in increasing the sustainability and competitiveness of regional economic complexes. The results confirm the need for comprehensive public and private support for "green" innovations, including financial instruments, stimulating R&D and creating cluster ecosystems. The limitations of the study are related to the narrow time interval of observations and the focus on selected regions; further research may expand the geography, take into account socio-cultural aspects and analyze the long-term consequences of the introduction of environmental technologies. Practical recommendations include the development of voluntary environmental standards, the formation of "green" financial markets and the strengthening of interregional cooperation for the exchange of experience.