Syrtseva Svitlana, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Accounting and Taxation Department, Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4824-3741
e-mail: sirceva@mnau.edu.ua

Kryzhova Viktoriia, Applicant for Higher Education, Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0009-0009-5440-3001
e-mail: kryzhovavi@gmail.com

Assessing the Environmental Reliability of Counterparties: Analytical Approaches, Indicators, Management Solutions

Abstract. Introduction. In the context of growing global attention to sustainability and ESG principles, businesses are increasingly required to assess not only the financial and legal standing of their partners but also their environmental integrity. Modern economic activity is marked by a growing interdependence between environmental safety, corporate responsibility, and the long-term sustainability of business relationships. Escalating ecological challenges, enhanced environmental regulations, and the transformation of corporate governance standards have amplified the relevance of environmental due diligence as a key tool for managing risks in partner selection and evaluation processes.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to substantiate and develop organizational and methodological approaches for a comprehensive analytical assessment of the environmental reliability of counterparties. The research aims to integrate environmental risk indicators into business partner evaluation systems and support risk-informed managerial decision-making regarding partner selection, assessment, and cooperation, with a strong focus on environmental aspects.

Results. The study proposes a structured analytical framework for conducting environmental due diligence of counterparties. This includes a classification of key and supplementary environmental risk indicators, a multi-stage verification algorithm, and a compliance scoring scale. The model takes into account industry-specific risks and utilizes tools such as ESG scoring, web analytics, and SWOT analysis to enhance early risk detection. A matrix for classifying counterparties by environmental risk levels is developed to support strategic and sustainable decision-making in corporate governance.

Conclusions. Environmental reliability is a critical component of partner evaluation and should be considered on par with financial, legal, and reputational factors. It must be approached not as a technical procedure but as a strategic tool for identifying potential threats to financial stability, legal compliance, and corporate reputation. The proposed approaches contribute to building transparent, risk-oriented, and environmentally responsible business relationships. The tools suggested in the study are practical and can be integrated into corporate due diligence systems, strengthening sustainability practices and improving long-term partnership quality.

Keywords: environmental assessment; reliability of counterparties; environmental risks; risk indicators; management decisions.

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