Viktoriia Udovychenko

This study presents a comparative assessment of energy sustainability potential using the Integral Sustainability Potential Index (ISPI), which integrates four indicators: energy intensity (EI), the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in electricity generation, the diffusion of ISO 50001-certified energy management systems (EnMS), and political readiness. The methodology is applied to Central and Eastern European countries (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Ukraine). The results reveal substantial cross-country differences in sustainability potential, primarily driven by institutional capacity, policy coherence, and the scale of ISO 50001 implementation. Poland demonstrated the highest ISPI value (0.68), reflecting moderate EI, a relatively high RES share, widespread adoption of ISO 50001 in the industry, and strong political support for EnMS. Romania (ISPI = 0.56), Bulgaria (ISPI = 0.39), and Slovakia (ISPI = 0.37) exhibit a medium level of sustainability potential, supported by notable RES penetration and policy initiatives but constrained by the limited diffusion of ISO 50001. Ukraine shows a significantly lower ISPI value (0.32), which is associated with high-EI (≈ 2.68 toe/1000 €), a lower RES share, weak implementation of ISO 50001, and insufficient policy support for EnMS. Cross-country analysis reveals a consistent pattern: countries with the lowest ISPI values (0.32–0.37) have the highest EI (>95 kilogrammes of oil equivalent/1000 €) and the lowest ISO 50001 certification density (<10 per million populations), while the country with the highest ISPI (0.68) combines moderate EI with the highest certification density. Overall, the findings indicate that economies with more developed managerial and policy frameworks have higher sustainability potential despite structural challenges in the energy sector.

Despite existing studies on creativity, examining human resource management practices alongside knowledge management models for constructing creativity remains lacking. This study investigates employee creativity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia, using data from 508 respondents within a 254-sample frame and employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that human resource management practices and technological innovation significantly influence knowledge management and cultivate competitive work environments that foster creativity. The PLS-SEM model confirmed that human resource management practices and technological innovation have a significant direct effect on employee creativity, as well as indirect effects through knowledge management and competitive work environments. Knowledge management and competitive work environment served as double mediators in the mediation mechanism tested in this model. The findings provide practical insights for managers seeking to optimize human resources and technological innovation to enhance knowledge management and create competitive work environments that boost creativity.

Biogas production from agricultural waste reduces methane emissions and addresses climate change challenges by converting livestock and organic waste into energy. This study analyzed biogas production in agricultural enterprises under the European Green Deal, the advantages of biogas as an energy source, and the use of digestate in agriculture. The raw material for biogas production from agro-industrial wastes in Ukraine has been investigated, showing that the country’s biogas production potential amounts to 34.59 billion m³, including 0.65 billion m³ from processing plant wastes. The main types of biomass that can be used for biogas production in Ukraine are crop residues (71.4%), manure (26.6%), and food industry waste (2.0%). The implementation of biogas production projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.98 billion tons of CO₂ and increase profits through electricity sales. This study examines the barriers and prospects for the development of electricity generation from biogas in Ukraine in the context of the integration of Ukraine’s energy system into the EU energy space. Directions for developing the biogas industry, focusing on electricity production within the framework of European decarbonization initiatives, will enhance the energy security of Ukraine and the EU. Estimating the energy production from agricultural waste allows for determining biogas output from organic waste. A regional biogas cluster model was developed based on the agro-industrial complex, which combines the production of biogas, electricity, water, and biofertilizers with increased efficiency and regional sustainable development.

This study examines methods for assessing the risks of energy systems that supply urban areas based on an integrated approach in which a qualitative assessment takes into account internal and external impacts as an element of a multifactorial analysis. A risk matrix is offered for risk assessment, which was built for energy infrastructure facilities and takes into account the features of the functioning of energy equipment which is potentially dangerous due to the probability of failures on a five-point scale and the possible degree of severity of the consequences due to the possibility of restoring the systems. The study proposes two statistical models for the assessment of reliability parameters before the onset of a critical situation and calculations after a critical event, i.e., the probability of the restoration or adaptation of the energy system object being analyzed and the degree of such restoration. This approach allows for the consideration of risks, taking into account both the technical condition of power equipment and environmental aspects, including their mutual influence, for sustainable management. This approach evaluates the energy system’s failure intensity and recovery probability based on the parameters developed to assess the system functionality and resilience effectively. A risk assessment using reliability parameters based on maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) showed that when sampling statistical data with a total number of n = 10, the accuracy of risk assessment according to indicator parameters increases by 15%, which is especially relevant for the potential safety of urban energy systems. A list of threats is proposed for the multifactorial risk analysis of an energy company based on an expert assessment of their likelihood and consequences. The constructed risk matrix reduces the level of threat, which helps to increase the efficiency of risk management both at the stages of planning and forecasting and during operation, including the management of socio-economic consequences.

Background . The 2022 hostilities in Kyiv's suburbs (Irpin, Horenka, Bucha) triggered substantial anthropogenic environmental change and the emergence of so-called belligerent-recreational systems (BRS), where pockets of war-related destruction coexist with recreational resources. Vegetation degradation and other alterations of land cover in these areas require detailed investigation and assessment to inform subsequent revitalization. The aim of this study was to detect spatial changes in the structure of land (vegetation) cover and to assess the degree of degradation within belligerent-recreational systems using Earth observation (remote sensing) methods by calculating spectral indices and their differenced forms. Methods . To monitor the spatial dynamics of BRS, Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 imagery was used to construct pre- and post-hostilities snapshots within the study sites. We computed the NBR (Normalized Burn Ratio) and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and, chiefly, their differenced forms – dNBR (Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio) and dNDVI (Differenced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) – which reflect degrees of land-cover damage due to burning and other biomass losses. The resulting dNBR and dNDVI values were classified by damage severity (from critical to minimal). Validation of the proposed classification scales was carried out by calculating pairwise (Pearson) correlation coefficients. The results revealed a strong correlation between dNBR and dNDVI (r ≈ 0.87). Results . Monitoring of spatial changes in BRS land-cover structure showed that the most intense fighting resulted in large-scale fires – in the northern quarters of Irpin and Bucha, and the central and eastern parts of Horenka – captured by the computed dNBR. According to dNBR, 12 % of the study area fell into the critical damage class, 20.5 % into the severe class; roughly one-third of the territory exhibited moderate damage, about one-quarter minor damage, and 9 % was almost unaffected. Analysis of dNDVI indicates that more than 80 % of biomass was lost over 13 % of the area, 50–80 % over 32 %, while 39 % experienced moderate losses and 16 % minimal losses. Additionally, NDVI analysis helped identify sites with mechanically induced vegetation damage resulting from warfare. Conclusions . Calculating the dNBR and dNDVI spectral indices enabled a quantitative assessment and delineation of degradation levels in the land (vegetation) cover of BRS, as well as visualization of the spatial differentiation of damage by severity classes. Among these, areas with weak or moderate damage were observed to show rapid vegetation recovery, whereas zones of critical and severe damage require the implementation of robust reclamation and remediation measures. The high correlation between dNBR and dNDVI confirms the dominant role of fires in degradation; however, a combined analysis of these indices provides a more complete assessment that also captures mechanical damage. The quantitative and qualitative results of the monitoring of land-cover conditions across the study sites, together with their map-based modeling, can be used to design strategic measures for the ecological rehabilitation of areas affected by military actions.

This article presents the results of a study on the environmental consequences of intensive industrial land use in transboundary areas located within the Chernihiv region of Ukraine. The research focuses on the spatial analysis of soil and atmospheric air pollution caused by the activities of enterprises in the primary and secondary sectors of the economy, as well as agricultural pressures. The levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, nitrates, petroleum products, and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are examined with reference to the established maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) for each pollutant. The findings indicate that in certain areas, pollutant concentrations exceed MAC values, which highlights zones of increased environmental risk. The study evaluates the potential threats associated with air and soil contamination for both public health and the integrity of natural ecosystems. It emphasizes the interconnection between environmental components as parts of a unified ecosystem and underscores the need for an integrated approach to environmental quality management. A set of practical recommendations is proposed, including the organization of environmental monitoring, the implementation of regulatory measures, the rehabilitation of contaminated areas, and the adoption of sustainable land use practices. The results of this study can serve as an analytical foundation for the development of regional environmental strategies aimed at improving ecological resilience and supporting sustainable development in cross-border territories.

The article presents the results of a comprehensive study on the state of biodiversity within the transboundary protected areas, using the Euroregion ‟Upper Prut” as a case study. Based on a developed database, the study analyzes the dynamics of vegetation and forest ecosystems through the use of remote sensing data and advanced processing technologies, including the calculation and spatial visualization of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The research identifies the main threats to biodiversity in the region and outlines directions for cross-border cooperation aimed at the restoration of natural ecosystems. Furthermore, the article proposes recommendations for improving the biodiversity monitoring system. Implementing these recommendations is expected to enhance the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation in the Euroregion ‟Upper Prut” and support sustainable management of its protected areas. This study contributes valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of transboundary environmental governance, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in preserving biodiversity across national borders. The use of remote sensing technologies proves essential for timely and accurate monitoring, enabling better-informed decision-making for ecosystem restoration and protection in this ecologically significant region.

The study examines the factors and risks that affect the operational safety of energy infrastructure. Economic and technical diagnostics were performed, and the causes of equipment (turbine generator) failures were identified in order to develop effective approaches to managing the technical...

The massive consumption of conventional recyclable products causes environmental pollution, so it is very important to raise public awareness about the use of green plastics. This study assessed a comprehensive understanding of the behavioural intention model of green plastic products from the perspective of the new generation. This study uses data collected from 551 new-generation customers of environmentally friendly recyclable plastic products in Indonesia. Data analysis employing partial least squares reveals that the behavioural intention model, including perceived quality, perceived value, trust, and satisfaction as determinants, is a fit across these generation cohorts. Further, this study claims that customer satisfaction is the main driver of behavioural intention, while trust is the main determinant of satisfaction with green plastic products for both generations. Finally, this study shows that millennial satisfaction is driven by perceived value, whereas new-generation satisfaction is determined by perceived quality. The study only considered behavioural intention, including quality, value, trust, and satisfaction as the drivers, meanwhile, other potential factors could influence the intention significantly as well. These findings specifically apply to green plastic products but not to other kinds of green products. In addition, the government can devise better policies supporting green products by offering tax incentives for recyclable products.