Problem setting. Modern economic systems in the process of their operation create certain negative consequences: environmental problems (climate change, desertification, loss of biodiversity), depletion of natural capital, large-scale poverty, social injustice, which threatens the socioeconomic development of present and future generations.The paper substantiates the position that one of the ways to ensure the solution of the problems of civilization development is the formation of a system of “green economy”, which helps to reduce risks to the environment and largely solves the problem of resource conservation.The transition to a green economy is due to the global consequences of climate change, irrational use of natural resources, exacerbation of social inequality.The analysis of modern tendencies of civilizational development testifies to the instability of modern models of economic development both at the regional and global levels. A common disadvantage of these models is the absolutization of economic growth in conditions of neglect of social and environmental problems. A number of global problems of socio-economic development at the present stage have been identified: climate change, depletion of limited natural resources and climate change due to the accelerated growth of the world’s population, which is accompanied by negative effects on the environment.Recent research and publications analysis. The problems of forming the foundations of the green economy are in the center of attention of leading domestic and foreign scientists and authoritative international organizations, within which a number of important policy documents aimed at developing and implementing theoretical and applied foundations of the green economy in the context of achieving sustainable development.Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. Despite the fact that the problem of forming the foundations of the green economy is constantly in the spotlight, it should be noted the lack of tools for systems analysis in the development of scientific approaches to developing conceptual foundations of the green economy. The purpose of the article is a systematic analysis of the foundations of the green economy and the peculiarities of its functioning in modern conditions.Paper main body. A systematic analysis of the theoretical and applied principles of formation of the main principles of the green economy is performed. It is proved that the formation of a green economy and the transition to the principles of sustainable economic development are priorities at the global, national, regional and local levels. The functioning of the green economy is based on the use of such sources of economic growth, which, while reducing the anthropogenic pressure on nature, ensure sustainable development.Based on a systematic approach to the analysis of the essence of the green economy and the concept of sustainable development, it is proved that the concept of “green economy” replaces the concept of sustainable development – sustainable development is a broader concept and “green economy” can be interpreted as a tool for sustainable development. Summarizing the approaches of domestic and foreign scientists, it is proposed to interpret the green economy as an economic activity that operates on the basis of the unity of natural and social systems, which contributes to improving people’s living standards in the long run and without harming the environment. Based on the use of system analysis tools, it is established that the “green economy” is a means of sustainable development, and its formation necessitates a revision of living standards in order to preserve the natural environment, improve resource efficiency, environmentally oriented activities and restructuring the economy, increasing the share of “green” sectors and reducing the “brown”.Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. Using the results of research by leading scientists, the basic principles of the “green economy” are identified, which determine its features in comparison with the classical market economy: internalization, cost-effectiveness, property rights, sustainability, openness to consumers. The transition to a green economy should stimulate the creation of a favorable competitive environment, as well as the development of regulatory methods, including the implementation of relevant standards and regulations. The main task of the “green economy”, as well as the traditional market, is the rational management, which is the allocation of limited resources to achieve sustainable development. In the future, the task of studying the relationship between the approaches of the “classical” and “green economy” to solve the problems of rationality of economic activity. The main task of the “green economy”, as well as the traditional market, should be rational management, which is the distribution of limited resources to achieve the goals – due to limited resources there is a need to choose this or that option for their use.