METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES

Abstract

The article presents the specifics and the core principles of research methodology for assessing the degree of environmental responsibility of industrial enterprises. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study relies on a comprehensive approach to evaluating environmental indicators based on the principles of purposefulness and correlation with financial and economic indices. The study provides an in-depth analysis and suggests an integrated indicator framework to assess the eco-management system performance, the degree of enterprise environmentalization and environmental cost monitoring, etc., as well as to evaluate waste management indicators and air and water emission reduction rates. The findings have revealed a need to consider external and internal factors affecting environmental responsibility. In addition, an emphasis is put on the importance of assessing the overall enterprise environmental friendliness by determining a generalized indicator of actual values (subject to the given reference values). To enhance competitiveness, the study suggests targeted implementation of the principles of environmental responsibility to be incorporated into the industrial enterprise development strategy being realized through a consistent and well developed action plan. The core elements in this algorithm cover the following: conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, measuring of the integrated indicator of environmental friendliness of business activities along with providing integrated evaluation of the indices obtained. Apart from that, the study discusses a range of positive effects from the implementation of the proposed greening initiatives for industrial enterprises that include a policy for creating a positive green corporate image, management cost optimization of environmentally friendly activities, improving the overall environmental friendliness, fostering investment to protect nature and save the environment.