SOME TRENDS IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BULGARIAN FURNITURE AND FOREST INDUSTRY ENTERPRISES

Abstract

The assessment and analysis of sustainable development (SD) at global and national level are one of the most dynamic research areas worldwide. Sustainable development management at all spheres is receiving increasing attention. The improving the approaches in the methodology and assessment procedures in different directions of the complex unified process of SD continue. The current state of the processes of SD further requires the search and development of new synergetic approaches, methods and models for a unified presentation of the complex processes of SD. Such a unified approach takes place in the development, implementation and improving of systems of indicators for SD. Following the World Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992), the need emerged for the use of indicators to support the formation of a comprehensive, integrated assessment of SD, on the basis of which decisions concerning the management of SD at all levels.

The established goals, strategies and policies of the European Union related to the processes of SD are being developed in the European Green Pact 2030. In accordance with them, a radical transformation of the European Union economies and societies in various areas is expected. The European Union plans its actions in the areas defined in the seventeen global goals for SD of the United Nations – climate, education, energy, environment, industry and others. On this basis, the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria adopted the National Development Program of Bulgaria 2030 with thirteen national priorities in the field of SD. This paper analyzes some of the models used to assess sustainability, discussing their adaptation to the identified national priorities. The authors of the report consider the state and problems of modeling sustainable development, illustrating them with an analysis of some trends in SD of enterprises in the Bulgarian furniture and forestry industry.

The methodology, procedures and models for monitoring, evaluation and analysis of the processes SD at global, European and national level are used – United Nations, Eurostat, National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria and others. It can be concluded that the existing models need to undergo significant changes, to be adapted to the current goals of SD and in line with the commitments under the European Green Pact in the industrial sector. Based on data on the state of enterprises in the forest sector, an analysis has been made illustrating some trends in the processes of SD in them.