16 August 2023
This special issue of the MCUR Digest, like the previous one, focuses on the events of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) which were related to the implementation of low-carbon development agenda, ESG transformation, closed-loop economy and environmental issues.
MCUR (MGIMO Centre for Sustainable Development and ESG Transformation) Digest is a regular information source accumulating the main Russian and world news related to sustainable development and ESG transformation, responsible finance and climate agenda. The originals of the news are available via active links in the text.
“The Trend for Green. Sustainable Development in the Russian Construction Industry – Realities and New Opportunities” panel session
Over the past year, the issue of green development has become a topical one on the biggest discussion platforms. The professional community is clearly showing a growing interest in this issue. What is the reason for that, what and who are the main drivers in this sphere? Why do developers need the sustainable development agenda now? Can sustainable development be beneficial to the developer? Does green construction save money, or is it an extra investment? What projects and what technologies can be used now? What new solutions does the market offer, and what tools can be implemented?
Moderator – Andrey Sharonov, CEO, National ESG Alliance.
Speakers: managers and experts from DOM.RF, Samolet, Segezha Group, LEGENDA Intelligent Development.
Watch the broadcast in full: The Trend for Green. Sustainable Development in the Russian Construction Industry – Realities and New Opportunities – at Roscongress Information and Analytical System website (roscongress.org)
You can find more materials related to the topic of the session in the MGIMO SDG/ESG library:
- Russia’s Government Decree No. 1912-r of July 14, 2021 on Financing Green and Sustainable Development Projects. The document was adopted in order to stimulate investment and attract extra-budgetary funds to projects aimed at meeting the national development goals in the field of green finance and sustainable development. Construction is one of the project areas.
- Sustainable Construction: Global Trends and Prospects for Russia. The study was prepared jointly by the National PPP Center and DOM.RF specially for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and is addressed to a wide range of readers. The study provides information on current Russian and global trends in the field of sustainable (green/energy efficient) construction, mechanisms for assessing sustainability, tools for stimulating and supporting projects that have confirmed compliance with environmental requirements, as well as prospects for the development of the Russian green construction market.
- Application of Green Standards in Russia: Problems and Prospects. The article analyzes trends in the application of green standards (BREEAM, LEED, DGNB), prospects and problems of their implementation in Russian realities, as well as milestones in the creation of the national environmental standard. The authors also present problems which green building in Russia is facing. The authors believe that successful development of green construction requires significant changes in public consciousness, and authorities and investors should pay special attention to that.
- World Green Building Council. Annual Report 2022. Every year, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) publishes an annual report which provides statistical data on the progress in the field of green construction. The 2022 report includes information about WorldGBC activities and programs across the world, as well as data on the progress in green building in individual countries.
“Conservation and Monitoring of Arctic Biodiversity” session
At the session, the following issues were discussed:
- Implementation of Russia’s Arctic State Policy for the period up to 2035 and the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone and National Security for the period up to 2035.
- Monitoring of Arctic biodiversity and the impact of climate change on it.
- The future monitoring system of protected natural areas in the Arctic, i.e. creating observation stations and a comprehensive monitoring software.
- The most endangered animal species crucial for conservation of biological diversity in the Arctic.
- Modern technologies for conservation and study of Arctic biodiversity.
- How businesses and NGOs can contribute to conservation of Arctic biodiversity.
Moderator – Irina Makanova, Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.
Speakers: managers and experts from government bodies, large corporations, NGOs.
Watch the broadcast in full: Conservation and Monitoring of Arctic Biodiversity – at Roscongress Information and Analytical System website (roscongress.org)
Similar issues were discussed at the session “Russian Arctic – the Center of Attraction”. Watch the broadcast in full: https://roscongress.org/sessions/spief-arctic-2023-russkaya-arktika-tsentr-prityazheniya-oopt-xxi-veka/translation/
You can find additional materials related to the sessions in the MGIMO SDG/ESG library:
- Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation Glossary. The glossary includes current definitions of terms used by the Russian Service for Hydrometeorology, Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources, UNFCCC, CBD, IPCC, IPBES, the World Meteorological Organization, IUCN and other reputable scientific and environmental organizations. There are also a number of new terms which reflect the specifics of the Arctic region.
- Report on the Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The report focuses on the current state of affairs in biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as the latest trends in these areas. It also analyzes the impact of biodiversity and ecosystem services on human well-being and the efficiency of measures taken in these spheres.
- Climate and Biota Trends in the Russian Arctic. Specific examples illustrate the latest trends in the Arctic biota caused by biotically significant climate changes or other reasons important for understanding the processes in the Russian Arctic ecosystems. The study also analyzes areas of distribution of Arctic mammals and provides a forecast of changes which may happen to these areas if climate change continues.
- Topical Environmental Issues of the Arctic. The analytical bulletin of Russia’s Federation Council includes materials of the round table meeting which took place at the Nevsky International Ecological Congress, i.e. the participants’ speeches and the Final Resolution of the Congress.
Saving the environment was also discussed at the session titled “Eco-Tourism. How to Find a Balance between Conservation and Availability”.
In March this year, new regulations on the development of tourism in national parks and protected natural areas were introduced. The document is aimed at developing domestic eco-tourism and establishing legal framework for such tourism in vulnerable natural areas. However, environmentalists fear that the new regulations may lead to excessive human presence on protected lands.
Moderators – Alexander Machevsky, Managing Director, VEB.RF, Vita Saar, Project Manager, Russia is a country of opportunities (NGO).
Speakers: managers and experts from government bodies, regions of Russia, NGOs, educational institutions.
Watch the broadcast in full: Eco-Tourism. How to Find a Balance between Conservation and Availability – at Roscongress Information and Analytical System website (roscongress.org)
Explore the MGIMO SDG/ESG library to read more on eco-tourism and protected areas:
- Youth Vision of Ecotourism Development until 2035. The document provides the key aspects of ecotourism by region, i.e. attractions and stakeholders. The document is a compilation of ideas expressed by university students who participated in “VuzEcoFest-2021”, a youth sustainable development forum.
- Protected Natural Territories of Russia by Category. The book provides a categorized overview of protected areas and special zones in Russia. It also assesses their compliance with the methodology of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Besides, it presents approximate size estimates of protected areas by IUCN category for Russia as a whole and for individual regions, as well as for the marine area of Russia’s exclusive economic zone.
- Theoretical Aspects of Rural Tourism Development in Russia. The article reveals the essence of the rural tourism phenomenon, defines the prerequisites, goals and conditions for its development. The authors confirm that it is vital to unleash the entrepreneurial potential of rural residents and to solve the multifaceted problems they face.
We also invite you to study other materials available in the MGIMO SDG/ESG Digital Library and subscribe for updates!
Authors: Andrey Avramenko, Sofia Denisova
Editor-in-chief: Capitolina Tourbina
Translator: Stanislav Shurygin
Designer: Maria Bakhireva
Disclaimer: The point of view of the MGIMO Centre for Sustainable Development and ESG Transformation may differ from the opinions of the authors of the news cited in the analytical publication. All materials are for reference only, and the MCUR is not responsible for their implementation in practice. The links to news sources used in the compilation of the MCUR Digest are indicated in the text and are active only in online format. The Digest does not use external copyrighted materials or reproduce them. If you have any questions, please contact: mcur@inno.mgimo.ru.
The MCUR Digest is being issued as part of the implementation of the strategic academic leadership program “Priority 2030”.
Department of International Complex Problems of Nature Management and Ecology
MGIMO Centre for Sustainable Development and ESG Transformation
