Methodology for the integral assessment of regional potential for cyclical transformation (based on the index approach)

Subject. Human impact on the environment, waste disposal issues. Objectives. Development of methodological tools for diagnosing regional natural resource management systems. Creating and detailing the algorithm for calculating the integrated index of regional potential for transitioning to circular economy principles. Methods. Various economic and mathematical research methods were applied. Results. A method has been developed to calculate an overall index that reflects a region's readiness to create a circular economy. The method is adapted to the structure of Russian regional statistics, which allows it to be used regularly without the need for labor-intensive collection of primary data, and it takes into account institutional readiness for reforms. In the Volga Federal District, significant differences between regions were found in the values of the overall index, which characterizes their potential to move toward a circular economy. Conclusions. The practical significance of the research results lies in the possibility of their use by government authorities when developing and adjusting strategies for socioeconomic development and regional waste management programs.