PROSPECTS AND POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF GREEN ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT IN KEY SECTORS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63666/ejsmr.1694-9013.3.I.2025.76Keywords:
economy greening, circular economy, renewable energy sources, organic farming, ecotourism, green finance, low-carbon transformationAbstract
Amid global environmental challenges, the transition to a green economy has become a strategic priority for countries striving for sustainability and economic diversification. This process is particularly relevant for the Kyrgyz Republic, which possesses significant natural assets but is simultaneously vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the potential and barriers to green economy development in the country's key sectors. The research methodology was based on a systematic review and integrated analysis of academic publications from 2020-2025, sectoral reports from international organizations (World Bank, ADB, UNDP), and national strategic documents. The findings revealed that the greatest potential for "greening" is concentrated in the energy, agriculture, and tourism sectors. The energy sector was found to have vast but largely untapped hydropower potential (less than 15% utilized), as well as significant prospects for solar and wind generation, which are hindered by outdated infrastructure and inflexible tariff policies. In the agricultural sector, opportunities were identified for expanding organic farming and implementing water-saving technologies, but progress is slowed by land degradation and a lack of accessible green loans for farmers. In tourism, a high potential for community-based ecotourism was noted, impeded by underdeveloped infrastructure and waste management issues. The main cross-cutting barriers were identified as a deficit of targeted financing, a fragmented regulatory framework, and weak inter-agency coordination. The practical value of this work lies in its findings, which can be used to develop sectoral greening roadmaps and to inform investors about promising areas and existing risks in Kyrgyzstan's transition to a green growth model.
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