Sustainable Business Development (ESG)

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) refers to the environmental, social and governance factors of a company's operations. The concept holds that a business is judged not only by its financial results but also by its impact on the environment and society and by the quality of its corporate governance.

Why ESG matters for business

• Consumer expectations. Customers increasingly choose the products and services of companies that act in a socially responsible way.
• Disclosure requirements. In many countries, companies are required or encouraged to disclose information on ESG factors.
• Investor interest. Investors and lenders are paying ever closer attention to the sustainability of a business model.
• Risk reduction. Taking ESG factors into account helps manage long-term risks: climate, reputational and social.

What ESG training and implementation give a company

• Reputation. Greater trust from customers, investors and other stakeholders.
• Access to financing. Interest from ESG-focused investors.
• Resource savings. Efficient use of resources and lower environmental risks.
• Innovation. New products and services focused on sustainable development.

Which employees need ESG training

• Senior and middle managers — to understand the company's strategic ESG goals, make informed decisions and take responsibility for their delivery.
• Departments directly involved in ESG:
  • the sustainability department — developing and implementing the ESG strategy, tracking progress, preparing reports;
  • the procurement department — selecting suppliers that follow sustainability principles;
  • production units — technologies that reduce environmental impact;
  • the HR department — safe and fair working conditions, employee training and development programs.
• All other employees — to understand the meaning of ESG principles and apply them in their day-to-day work.

Training objectives

• build a comprehensive understanding of ESG principles and approaches;
• develop competencies in assessing environmental and social risks, applying ESG tools, and designing ESG strategies and programs;
• improve communication and partnership-building skills in the ESG field;
• gain up-to-date knowledge of ESG implementation with regard to Russian practice and requirements.

HSE IPAA offers two programs to choose from, depending on how familiar employees already are with the subject.

Introductory course for beginners — 8 academic hours

Block 1. Environmental responsibility

• Climate change and low-carbon development strategy.
• Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in Russia.
• Waste management and environmental protection.

Block 2. Ethics and stakeholder engagement

• Protection of labor rights and human rights.
• Health and safety.
• Identifying and engaging stakeholders.
• Ethical standards.

Block 3. Corporate governance and ESG reporting

• Corporate governance.
• ESG reporting in Russia.

Advanced course — 16 academic hours

The content is shaped by the results of a preliminary participant survey. One possible version is shown below.

Block 1. Environmental

1. Calculating the carbon footprint of operations and the loan portfolio; green finance.
2. Climate program: strategy, emission scopes (scope 1, 2, 3).
3. Air protection and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
4. Financing projects in energy and water resources.
5. Corporate financial contributions and control over their intended use.
6. Current ESG trends, the role of green finance, ESG “red flags.”

Block 2. Social

1. Human resource management and employees' financial literacy.
2. Inclusion and gender equality.
3. Contribution to the local community, benefits packages and voluntary health insurance — how to present them in the report.
4. How to assess the transparency of social initiatives.

Block 3. Corporate Governance

1. Strategy, requirements for governing bodies, the functions of ESG experts.
2. Corporate social responsibility, strategy, priority map.
3. How “E” and “S” depend on “G”: specifics in Russia, automated monitoring and assessment methods.

Block 4. Reporting under ESG standards

1. The standard set of topics for preparing an ESG report.
2. Regulatory framework, methodology, report preparation.
3. How to prepare an ESG report that complies with international standards.
4. ESG implementation in Russian financial institutions: required reporting, carbon footprint calculation, interpretation of IFRS S1 and S2, the link to the risk management system and the changes it requires.

Tuition fees

Fees for group training are listed in the Schedule section.

Fees for individual and corporate training are available on request.