Integration of international ESG standards into corporate and regulatory practice in the Russian Federation

Abstract

This article analyzes the need to apply international ESG standards in the Russian Federation and the specifics of their integration into the national regulatory framework and corporate practice. This article examines key strategic and regulatory documents in the field of sustainable development, as well as Russian ESG ratings and indices, including those developed by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Moscow Exchange, and leading rating agencies. It compares international standards (GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISO 26000, etc.) and national initiatives, identifying their intersections.

It also analyzes industry-specific disclosures of environmental, social, and governance information in Russian companies’ financial statements, as well as the key issues and challenges affecting their quality. Thus, international ESG principles have already been implemented in Russian regulatory and corporate practice. Their full implementation requires systemic measures: standardization of methodological approaches, creation of a national verification system, and deeper adaptation to the specifics of the Russian economy. Recommendations are proposed for improving the quality and comparability of non-financial information, expanding the coverage of ESG practices, and strengthening international cooperation within BRICS and other integration formats.