Implementation of ESG principles at infrastructure sites: Director of ACTP RF Andrey Shpilenko held a session at the "InPark-2022"
Within the framework of the XI International Forum of Development and Investment Territories "InPark-2022" in Novosibirsk, a session "New approaches to the development of investment sites" was held. The event was moderated by Andrey Shpilenko, Director of the The Association of Clusters, Technology Parks and SEZ of Russia. The session participants discussed the success factors of infrastructure sites and how the implementation of ESG principles affects their investment attractiveness.
The discussion was also attended by Deputy Director of the Department of Regional Industrial Policy and Project Management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Leonid Danilov, Deputy Director for Design and Analytical Work of the ACTP RF Evgeny Kravchenko, Head of the Sustainable Development Direction of the ACTP RF Daria Gulyaeva, Managing Partner of the SEZ "Stupino Quadrat" Ekaterina Evdokimova and Director of the Commercial Directorate of the SEZ "Technopolis Moscow" Natalya Kuzina.
The session began with a report by Yevgeny Kravchenko, which caused a lively discussion. The expert spoke about the success factors affecting the operation of infrastructure sites, namely: the presence of a transparent regulatory and legal framework, a developed industrial infrastructure, preferential treatment, professional management teams and regular evaluation of site performance.
“In the face of increased competition for attracting investments, management companies need not only to introduce all these factors, but also to respond to global economic challenges: changing value chains, industrial revolution 4.0. and, of course, the imperatives of sustainable development. At the same time, the main mechanism is the formation of a model of an infrastructure site aimed at achieving the goals of sustainable development”, – said Andrey Shpilenko, Director of the ACTP RF.
The expert of the Association Daria Gulyaeva spoke in detail about the history of the concept of sustainable development. As the speaker explained, sustainable business development means the implementation of the principles of social, environmental and corporate responsibility (ESG), which should ensure the inflow of long-term investments.
“Today, a model of an infrastructure platform aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is being actively introduced all over the world. It is in such platforms that investors will invest, so management companies should not postpone the implementation of ESG principles on their territory until later”, – said Darya Gulyaeva.
ACTP RF experts as part of the working group developed a model of a preferential site aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as a non-financial reporting disclosure standard that is mandatory for such sites. The standard was supported by the Expert Council of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economic Development, while the department sent it to the SEZ management companies for voluntary use in their work.