| Development trends in Russia’s key sectors during the periods of external shocks as grasped by the concept of the colour of economic growth |
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Author: Irina A. Zabelina Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology (Siberian Branch of the RAS), Chita, Russia Abstract: Against the background of significant structural changes and instability due to the impact of recent external shocks, the research into the environmental-economic dynamics of Russia’s economic sectors is becoming particularly relevant. The article assesses the environmental-economic trends in the development of key types of economic activities in Russia during the periods of external shocks. The methodological basis of the study is an adapted approach based on Peter Victor’s concept of the colour of economic growth, which allows characterising the development dynamics of economic systems based on the relationship between indicators of economic progress and environmental impact. The study employs analytical and computational methods, comparative and dynamics analysis, graphical modelling. The evidence is the 2017–2024 data obtained from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The study reveals that during the periods of external shocks the manufacturing industry was generally stable, so did agriculture and electric power industry. Concurrently, mining experienced a notable decrease in GVA both due to the COVID (–3.3 %) and sanctions-induced (–1.9 %) shocks. As for the types of environmental impact, the findings point to the significant differentiation of the dynamics, which in some cases worsened during the shock periods. Stable positive trends are only noted for polluted wastewater discharges. Negative trends prevail in the emissions from stationary sources and production and consumption waste: in terms of the former, the most problematic are the agriculture, mining, and water supply and discharge, while in terms of the latter – transport, mining and manufacturing. On the whole, no uniform trajectory towards a green economy is traced. The findings can be used to justify priorities of the sectoral policy and its differentiation, as well as to monitor the efficiency of environmental protection measures. Keywords: economic development; environmental burden; the colour of economic growth; type of economic activity; eco-intensity. For citation: Zabelina I. A. (2026). Development trends in Russia’s key sectors during the periods of external shocks as grasped by the concept of the colour of economic growth. Journal of New Economy, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 50–75. DOI: 10.29141/2658-5081- 2026-27-2-3. EDN: OCFBGU. Article info: received December 18, 2025; received in revised form February 5, 2026; accepted March 6, 2026 |
