Environmental Sustainability in the Post-Soviet Republics: Cross-Country Evidence from a Composite Index

Tommaso Filì (), Enrico Ivaldi, Enrico Musso and Tiziano Pavanini
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Tommaso Filì: Italian Centre of Excellence in Logistics, Transport and Infrastructures, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Enrico Ivaldi: Department of Humanistic Studies, Faculty of Communication, IULM University, 20143 Milan, Italy
Enrico Musso: Italian Centre of Excellence in Logistics, Transport and Infrastructures, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Tiziano Pavanini: Department of Architecture and Urbanism (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: This study investigates the environmental dimension of sustainable development across fifteen post-Soviet republics in 2022. While sustainability is generally understood as a triadic construct—economic, social, and environmental—this paper isolates the ecological pillar to highlight cross-country differences shaped by industrial legacies, institutional capacity, and governance models. A composite Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is developed using the Mazziotta–Pareto Index (MPI), which captures both average performance and internal consistency across three SDG-related domains: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study adds to existing literature as it includes a non-compensatory composite index and cluster analysis, and in policy terms, it provides a benchmarking system for facilitating ecological transition in the post-Soviet context. The results reveal strong divergence across the region: Baltic countries and Moldova achieve higher scores, reflecting policy convergence with the European Union and stronger environmental institutions, while Central Asian republics lag due to resource dependence, water scarcity, and weaker governance. Geographic cluster analysis corroborates these differences, showing clear spatial patterns of environmental convergence and divergence. Correlation analysis further demonstrates that environmental sustainability is positively associated with GDP per capita, HDI, and life expectancy, while negatively linked with inequality and fertility rates. These findings stress the need for context-sensitive and evidence-based policies, intra-regional cooperation, and integrated governance mechanisms to advance ecological transition in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Keywords: composite indicators; environmental sustainability measurement; multidimensional assessment; indicator-based evaluation; non-compensatory methods; sustainable development goals (SDGs); post-Soviet republics; transition economies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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