Spatial Disproportions of the Green Economy and the Financial Situation of Polish Voivodeships in 2010–2020

Abstract

The provincial government, a separate association of regional communities in the state structure, carries out public tasks that affect the quality of life of the local community and the activities of businesses. Geographical conditions and the effect of socioeconomic factors lead to different levels of development in different regions. The endogenous potential of the local government is the result of a combination of local conditions, determining its opportunities and directions of development. The aim of this article was to assess and identify the spatial differentiation in the relationship between the green economy and the financial situation of voivodeships in Poland using synthetic measures. The choice of variables for the period of 2010–2020 was determined by the availability of the data collected from the regional system in the CSO Local Data Bank. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution was used to construct the synthetic measures. Financial resources are the basis for the operation of local government units, conditioning the implementation of their current and developmental tasks. Knowledge of the current state of finances allows authorities to make comparisons with other units and is helpful in making financial decisions. The green economy is one of the paths to sustainable development. The green economy increases the quality of life and social equality while reducing environmental risks and natural resource consumption. As a result of the research procedure, the spatial differentiation of provinces in Poland in 2010–2020 is presented in terms of the level of the synthetic measure of the green economy and financial situation. In 2010, the synthetic measure of the green economy ranged from 0.31 to 0.42, and in 2020, it ranged from 0.40 to 0.53. The synthetic measure of financial risk in 2010 ranged from 0.37 to 0.61, and in 2020, it ranged from 0.40 to 0.77. The measures are shaped by economic activity and working conditions, health, education, leisure and social relations, economic and physical security, and environmental quality. The results of this survey enable local governments to make comparisons. The lessons learned can allow them to identify potential directions for optimizing development policies.