Purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of human impact on the assimilation capacity of the territory. The study provides analysis of the approaches to the measurement of the assimilative capacity (poten tial), identified types of threats to assimilative capacity, environmental and economic consequences of their reali zation, evaluated the level of threats’ exposure. The results can be used to justify the selection of territories de velopment proprieties in accordance with the concept of sustainability (energy efficiency rating of the economy), for the development of regional environmental policies, and a strategy of territories economic growth.