Associate Professor Nadzeya Batava
Belarusian State University, Belarus
Title: SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND BORDERS: HOW BELARUS IS SHAPING GREEN AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY POLICIES
Abstract:
Belarus has long recognized the critical importance of ecological sustainability, enshrining the right to a favorable environment in its Constitution. Over the past two decades, the country’s policy landscape has evolved from traditional resource management to an integrated framework that embraces green and circular economy principles. This article examines the scope and efficacy of Belarus’s policy instruments, including constitutional provisions, national development strategies, and sector-specific initiatives aimed at waste reduction, resource efficiency, and climate change mitigation. By drawing on official government data, legislative texts, and comparative analysis of international best practices, the study elucidates the legal, institutional, and practical dimensions of Belarus’s sustainability agenda. It identifies emerging achievements—such as progress in waste management and low-carbon transport solutions—alongside persistent challenges, including legislative gaps, implementation bottlenecks, and uneven regional capacities. Ultimately, the findings position Belarus as a case of policy-driven transformation with relevance to other emerging and transitioning economies. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, international organizations, and scholars seeking to enhance collaborative efforts and adapt proven approaches to broader global sustainability dialogues.
Biography:
Nadzeya Batava is an economist and academic specializing in sustainable, green, and circular economy strategies. She holds a Ph.D.in Economics and serves as an Associate Professor at Belarusian State University, where she teaches courses on the circular economy and supervises graduate students. Additionally, she is the Head of the Environmental and Economic Research Sector at the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, leading research on green and circular economy projects and providing policy advice to national and international bodies.
Her work includes over 20 years of experience in economic research and policy development, with contributions to international projects for UNDP, UNICEF, and the World Bank. Batava has participated in the development of Belarus's Circular Economy Strategy and the Eurasian Economic Union's Green Economy Concept, and she has analyzed China's green development policies within the Belt and Road Initiative.
Batava has been involved in various national and international initiatives, including the development of Belarus's Circular Economy Development Strategy and the National Action Plan for Green Economy Development. She has also provided expert input for local sustainable development strategies and has contributed to research on green economy transitions and policy frameworks.
Her academic publications exceed 150 articles, covering topics such as green economy transformation, circular economy in agriculture, and financing tools for sustainable projects. Batava has presented her research at international conferences and participated in training programs focused on China's green economy and sustainable development practices.