Development of the ESG Standards in the Eurasian Business Companies

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 4 module

Instructor

Cecalenco, Anatolie

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course delves into the rapidly evolving area of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in business companies throughout the Eurasian region, primarily in post-Soviet states. Students will become familiar with the main factors shaping ESG standards, examine the impact of ESG on corporate sustainability, and analyze the challenges and opportunities companies face when implementing ESG practices in Eurasia. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants will learn to develop the key components of an ESG strategy and assess risks for businesses in the context of sustainable development.

Learning Objectives

• 1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the core ESG trends and factors influencing business development in Eurasia.
• 2. Teach students how to analyze and apply ESG standards in a corporate context.
• 3. Build students’ skills in designing and implementing an ESG strategy and managing ESG risks.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• • Navigates international and regional (Eurasian) ESG standards and initiatives
• • Identifies key drivers of ESG transformation for companies in the post-Soviet space
• • Develops foundational elements of an ESG strategy, including setting goals, metrics, and KPIs.
• • Creates roadmaps for ESG transformation activities
• • Evaluates major ESG risks and propose management solutions
• • Applies their knowledge to prepare an ESG strategy and conduct risk analysis for a specific company

Course Contents

• Lecture 1 (Session 1). Topic: Overview of ESG Trends in Eurasia (Part 1)
• Lecture 2 (Session 2). Topic: Overview of ESG Trends in Eurasia (Part 2)
• Lecture 3 (Session 3). Topic: ESG Transformation of a Company
• Seminar (Workshop) 1 (Session 4). Topic: Defining a Company’s Directions, Goals, and Metrics (ESG Transformation)
• Lecture 4 (Session 5). Topic: ESG Strategy and Its Components. Roadmap Development
• Seminar (Workshop) 2 (Session 6). Topic: Developing an Action Roadmap
• Lecture 5 (Session 7). Topic: Managing ESG Risks in a Company’s Activities
• Seminar (Workshop) 3 (Session 8). Topic: ESG Risk Assessment
• Seminar (Workshop) 4 (Session 9). Topic: Preparing an ESG Strategy and Preliminary Risk Assessment (Part 1)
• Seminar (Workshop) 5 (Session 10). Topic: Preparing and Presenting the ESG Strategy (Part 2)

Assessment Elements

• o Seminars (Workshops)
  o Students work in groups of 2–3 to develop the elements of a company’s ESG strategy.
• o Final Project
   Develop and present an ESG strategy for a chosen company (real or hypothetical).  Must be submitted in PPT or PDF format and presented during the last seminar (Session 10).

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 4th module
  0.5 * o Final Project + 0.5 * o Seminars (Workshops)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Amel-Zadeh, A., & Serafeim, G. (2017). Why and How Investors Use ESG Information: Evidence from a Global Survey.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• MSCI ESG Research LLC. (11 C.E. 2019). MSCI ESG Research Makes MSCI ESG Ratings of Over 2,800 Companies Publicly Available. Business Wire (English).