Analyzing the key trends and practices of sustainable development of Russia’s financial sector organizations

Subject. The article investigates trends in the implementation of the ESG agenda in the financial sector and the practice of sustainable development of Russian financial institutions. Objectives. The purpose is to explore the promotion of principles of sustainable development in the financial sector and the importance of integration of financial institutions into the ESG agenda, to analyze the content and features of practices of Russian financial organizations implemented in the field of sustainable development at the present stage. Methods. The study draws on methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization. Results. Based on integrated research and assessment of the maturity of sustainable development practices of Russian financial sector organizations, as well as the degree of implementation of ESG practices in the activities of financial institutions, the study identified the main trends in the sustainable development of financial organizations at the current stage, and priority areas for improving ESG practices in the interests of financial organizations and their key stakeholders for the future. Conclusions. The features of the current stage of ESG agenda implementation are the active spread of ESG transformation to the financial sector, the sustainable development of financial institutions, and the emergence of ESG-oriented financial instruments.