The development of Green Chemistry in Russia as a tool to improve the competitiveness of chemical products [an opinion poll]

The authors suggest that the World Trade Organization accession could be an important driving force for the implementation of sustainable development practices in the industry of certain countries. Developed economies are beginning to introduce green chemistry principles into their industrial processes and these practices are regarded as the best tool for promoting sustainable development. At the same time, the knowledge and practices originating from green chemistry principles are absent among enterprises of the Russian chemical sector. Russian chemical industry requires significant changes in order to adapt to the World Trade Organization requirements by 2017. In order to assess the impact of the World Trade Organization accession on the development of sustainable practices in the industry of certain countries, the authors launch a long-term assessment of the diffusion of ideas and practices of green chemistry principles among Russian chemical enterprises during the period of its adaptation to the World Trade Organization requirements. The current article introduces the concept of the potential role of the World Trade Organization as a driving force for sustainability transition and describes the results of the first sociological studies measuring the understanding of green chemistry principles within the management of Russian chemical enterprises. Final conclusions will be made on the basis of a series of interviews and quantitative research.