Интеллект. Инновации. Инвестиции (Jun 2025)
Institutional readiness of the regions of the Central Federal District to implement ESG practices
Abstract
The relevance of the study is determined by the increasing importance of ESG principles (environmental, social, and governance aspects) for the sustainable development of regions. In the context of global climate change and socio-economic system transformation, the need for Russian regions to adapt to new sustainability standards is growing. However, the degree of readiness for ESG transformation varies across regions, requiring a comprehensive analysis of institutional frameworks and governance mechanisms. The objective of the study is to analyze the institutional readiness of the regions of the Central Federal District (CFD) to integrate ESG principles into their activities. The study examines the regulatory framework and organizational support for ESG practices, identifies opportunities for their development, and highlights key barriers. The methodological framework of the study includes an analysis of regulatory legal acts, strategic regional documents, and a comparative analysis of ESG reporting data. The study employs content analysis, institutional analysis, and comparative analysis of regional sustainability policies. The study reveals significant differentiation among CFD regions in terms of ESG agenda development. Moscow, the Moscow Region, and the Belgorod Region are leaders due to their comprehensive sustainable development strategies and strong regulatory frameworks. Other regions exhibit fragmented ESG initiatives, necessitating improvements in regulatory mechanisms and strengthening institutional capacity for ESG integration. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the development of a typology of institutional readiness for ESG transformation, which enables the formulation of targeted recommendations for improving regulatory and organizational environments. The practical significance of the study is in its potential application for shaping effective policies for ESG implementation in Russian regions. Future research should focus on an in-depth analysis of factors influencing ESG transformation success, as well as examining international best practices for their adaptation to Russian conditions. Recommendations based on the data obtained include unification of regulatory standards, the creation of a unified monitoring system, and the strengthening of organizational support for ESG transformation. Additionally, measures are proposed for developing educational programs to train ESG specialists and for digitizing ESG reporting.
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