Ilsur Metshin: “There is no experience in Russia for implementation of such a project in the entire city”

By the end of the year, the capital of Tatarstan will develop a strategy for sustainable development and ESG principles of the city. All departments of the Kazan Executive Committee will take part in the development of the document and its implementation. A two-day educational program “Kazan. ESG. Immersion” for the Kazan Team took place in the Yaratam teen club, where experts from Moscow and St. Petersburg discussed systemic challenges and global trends in the sustainable development, an ecological lifestyle and the principles of a healthy city. The forum was opened by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin.

“We are setting a new task again. There is no experience in Russia for implementation of such a project in the entire city. A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. Moreover, there are companies in the city that develop according to these standards. The time has come for us to be inspired by this and take these rules into work. First, we must be permeated with strategy, and the habit of thinking in these standards must appear. When we understand our path and set a team goal, then each leader in his own direction will have to lead this work and work for the overall result. I think with such a capable and professional team, we will definitely succeed, and this project will reach every institution and resident,”- Ilsur Metshin said in his speech.

Valeria Marshalova, Director of Komanda Agency, told about systemic challenges and global trends in the sustainable development and strategy of Kazan.

The need to implement a sustainable development strategy and ESG principles is due to the intensive development of industrial production and urbanization over the past decades. This leads to transient climate change, overconsumption of available resources and social inequality.

Valeria Marshalova noted that the sustainable development strategy helps to understand what goals need to be achieved in order to ensure the well-being of the city in the future. Success depends on the state of the social, economic and environmental areas. At the same time, the implementation of ESG principles will contribute to the achievement of goals at each of the 17 global levels.

wo sessions will be held for the forum participants – strategic and practical. First, a document will be created to introduce a culture of sustainable development and ESG principles in Kazan, then it is planned to launch main ESG ideas and “highlight” current projects in the city.

From March to April, the heads of departments of the Executive Committee of Kazan will have to undergo an educational program. They will analyze the urban problems that need to be solved. After that, project teams of departments will be created together with the Kazan business community, will define goals and outline key end results. The launch of the strategy is planned for November 2024.