Subject. Assessment of the sustainable development of business companies in the real and social sectors of the regional economy. Objectives. To critically reflect on the potential opportunities for improving the ECG rating methodology for the practical implementation of social and environmental activities of Russian business companies in the real and social sectors of the regional economy, as well as to propose measures for their use. Methods. Methods of system and SWOT analysis, content analysis of scientific literature, as well as comparison, generalization and grouping of current ECG rating platform data are applied. Results. The actors of the ECG rating are identified, the best corporate practices of its participants in the regions of their presence are investigated, the need to increase public awareness of the positive impact of ECG rating on increasing social and environmental responsibility of business is proved, and recommendations for modernizing the methodology of ECG rating based on identifying its strengths and weaknesses are developed. Conclusions. The results of the study are of interest to all subjects of the regional economy involved directly or indirectly in the rating process, and serve as a basis for greater incentives for businesses to exercise social and environmental responsibility.
Keywords: sustainable development, socio-environmental responsibility of business, ESG concept, ECG rating, business reputation of the organization
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