• Energy Research
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Subject of this article investigation is theoretical and methodological aspects of institutional support of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy. Objective of the article is to highlight the core and do research into the common factors and newest trends concerning institutional support of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy. Method. When in use for article preparation the following general scientific research methods were used: historical and logical methods are applied while investigating into international experience and analysis of international economic cooperation evolution in energy area; abstract and specific methods as well as methods of analysis and synthesis are used for justification of priorities, rules and goals of institutional support of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy and definition of international organizations role while their implementing. Causal (cause-and-effect) method of scientific research is employed to determine priorities and challenges regarding institutional support of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy development as an essential part of the sustainable development transition processes. Results. The development of renewable energy in XXI century has become a strategic priority of world energy market modernization, promotes the solution to the problem of global warming, reduces the risks of CO2 emissions as well as related risks of increase in climate refugees, world countries’ coastal areas flooding, so reduces a risk of famine and incidence of poverty among the Earth population. Institutional support of renewable energy development is provided by such international organizations as UN, UNDP, UNEP, URS, BASE, UNIDO, IRENA etc. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol (expired), Paris Agreement on Climate Change were adopted. According to UNDP forecasts, scenarios for the share of renewables in world supplies by 2050 in balance of fuels and electric power ranges widely from just 27 percent to 54 percent and will rank the leading positions among other sources of energy resources on the Earth. Among the priorities of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy there are the following: providing institutional support of renewable energy production growth, development and introduction of ‘green tariffs’, benefits and economic stimuli as well as principles of energy efficiency and energy-saving. Institutional support of energy infrastructure development, transportation and transit, conservation and rational use of renewable energy resources is of great importance. Range of results application. International economic affairs and world economy. Conclusions. Among the main priorities of institutional support of international economic cooperation in the sphere of renewable energy development the following ones should be mentioned: organization of international consultations on framework development in the sphere of renewable energy promoting and use; drawing-up the rules and principles of safety and rational energy consumption; promoting technology and knowledge transfer development in the sphere of renewable energy; establishment of regional R&D centers as well as centers of experience exchange in the sphere of renewable energy development; distribution of successful world experience in the sphere of renewable energy use; planning of financial provision of the program on renewable sources of energy use; compilation of statistical data in the sphere of renewable energy development; monitoring and adjustment of strategies on renewable energy development. Transition to global renewable energy use is an essential part of a process of sustainable development in the XXI century.

The dissertation is focused on the development of theoretical positions and scientific and methodological approaches towards the formation of a system of socioecological-economic indicators of the development of the Carpathians mountains areas in the context of ecological economics and environmental economics theories. The dissertation summarizes theoretical, methodological, empirical and practical results of scientific research of the applicant, her conclusions and proposals as to future socio-ecological-economic development of the Carpathians mountain areas. In the thesis, the definition of "forest-dependent community" is proposed and characterised with regards to the Carpathians conditions. The conceptual matrix model for determining the level of forest dependence has also been developed, taking into account the level of analysis (country, region, oblast, district, city / village, community, household, individual) and the type of forest dependence (from wood / wood products, non-wood forest products, tourism / recreation, from forest as a source of income / employment, forest ecosystem services for environment stabilization, cultural ecosystem services). Considering as the priority maintaining of forest ecosystem services, as key components for the socio-ecological and economic development of the Carpathian mountain region, and taking into account the current ecological-economic and socioeconomic challenges and opportunities in the studied region, we propose a system of indicators to assess its development. On this basis, and through our evaluation of the contribution of forest ecosystem services to the wellbeing of forest-dependent communities (using a mixedmethod approach), we arrive into the following indicators of the development of the Carpathians mountain region: – indicators, that imply opportunities/threats to sustainable flows of ecosystem services; – indicators that characterize the impact of (inefficient) forest management; – indicators that characterize fostering sustainability in the provision ecosystem services, in the context of decentralization; – indicators that characterize an increase of community responsibility in the field of forest governance; – indicators, characterizing authorities' ability in supporting effective management; – indicators that characterize cooperation and interaction between stakeholders (i.e. social innovations) for achieving sustainability; – indicators, demonstrating the availability/lack and simplicity/complexity of procedures for accessing / using of forest products; – indicators, characterizing accessibility to forest products by local 24 population; – indicators, characterizing the essential steps by communities in the Carpathian region to improve the forest management efficiency and forest resilience. The methodical approach for the analysis of socio-ecological-economic development of the Carpathian region is therefore advanced on the basis of the conceptualized system of indicators for the development evaluation. In the thesis, the concept of mountain forest's socio-ecological system is defined as a complex and integrated system, including the socio-economic (human) and ecological (biophysical – mountain forest ecosystems) sub-systems, which are in close connection and interaction with each other. The scientific and methodical approaches for enhancing decision support processes on the development of the Carpathian region are developed. They adapt and elaborate further an integration of the DPSIR method with the concept of ecosystem services. We propose credible ways towards increasing the role of communities in the decision-making process in the field of sustainable development of the region. A smart development of forest-dependent mountain territories and communities requires new and innovative strategies based on green growth and socio-ecological innovations. These would need to integrate scientific and local/traditional knowledge around the array of forest ecosystem goods and services, their management and use. Such strategies should enable an increasing of human well-being without destroying the sustainability of fragile mountain forest ecosystems. The practical significance of the results is in that the theoretical provisions of the thesis have been brought to the level of methodological developments and practical recommendations, which can be used by state and local authorities to improve the strategic planning and the development of settlements and communities in the Carpathian mountain region. Other stakeholders, including local communities, can also make use of the suggestions put forward in the thesis.