Siberian Federal University

ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance. In general, it is sustainable development of commercial activities based on the following principles:

• responsible attitude towards the environment
• high social responsibility
• high quality of corporate governance.

The balance of these indicators is essential for both business and state. However, achieving it is challenging if the majority does not understand and accept the ESG principles.

According to Yulia Verkhushina, deputy head of the Administration of the Governor of Krasnoyarsk Territory, despite the priority of industry in the economy, Krasnoyarsk Territory intends to follow this concept. Moreover, industrial, manufacturing, and mining companies located in the region are to contribute to the development of a new image of the region. Such cooperation is beneficial not only to the government but also to the companies, as doing so they improve their positions in the view of partners and employees.

The experts mentioned the special role of universities in implementing the ESG agenda and developing the tourism brand of the regions.
“The universities are engaged in the population enlightenment. For instance, SibFU provides intellectual support to Krasnoyarsk Territory in implementing the ESG concept. We try to bring these principles into everyday life through education. In addition, within Priority 2030 program, the university launches a Centre for Low-Carbon Economy that would develop a carbon park on SibFU campus. This park is intended to be open for citizens and tourists so that they can get familiar with green technologies and understand what they can contribute to reducing carbon footprint,” noted Evgenia Turtapkina, vice-rector of Siberian Federal University.

Siberian Federal University has become a negotiation site for business, government, and society. According to Evgenia Turtapkina, ESG transformation, which is on the lips of institutions of business and government only, is possible only with social institutions on board. And this is the task for universities to become bringers of a new lifestyle focused on the sustainable development of territories.