Validation of a methodology for forest industry sector sustainability assessment

Abstract

The research is devoted to the development and testing of a methodology for assessing the level of sustainability of the forest industry. The work presents the general specifics of the methodology, the formula for calculating the sustainability index, the justification of the original approach, taking into account the specifics of the forest industry. The method is based on a system of economic, environmental and social indicators. The evaluation is based on the example of the forest sector logging sector. As a result of the approbation, it was determined that sustainability of forest industry development is below average in most regions of the country. The proposed methodology can be used as a justification for the necessity of transformations in the forest industry sector. This direction of industry is recognized as one of the underestimated and perspective in the sphere of modern requirements of the society to development of economy. The activity of the forest industry is associated with both timber production (deforestation) and reforestation. This makes it a unique industry. By using renewable resources in production, the industry can be seen as truly capable of adopting and implementing sustainable development. As a consequence, studies aimed at evaluating the various projects related to sustainable development in the forest industry are highly relevant.