Abstract
This article assesses the economy's readiness for green digital transformation. The study aims to develop and test a composite Green Digital Transformation Readiness Index (GDRI), which compares the role of human capital, digital inclusion, innovation activity, and the share of renewable energy sources in shaping sustainable development potential. The methodological framework utilizes comparative and systemic approaches, economic and statistical analysis of data from the World Bank, OECD, ILO, Ember, and IEA, and an index method with standardization and weighting of indicators. The study's scientific novelty lies in its proposal of an integrated GDRI index, which combines four key components – R&D, human capital, internet coverage, and the share of renewable energy sources – and allows for a quantitative assessment of countries' readiness for green digital transformation. A test of the index using the EU, China, and Kazakhstan as examples revealed that the EU has the most balanced readiness profile (GDRI = 0.725). China demonstrates high innovation potential with remaining limitations in digital inclusion and the share of renewable energy sources (0.668). Kazakhstan, meanwhile, remains at an initial stage of readiness (0.401), combining high internet coverage with low R&D intensity and a limited share of renewable energy sources. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential use of the GDRI for monitoring public policy and setting priorities in science, education, digitalization, and green economic modernization.