Subject. This article considers the issues of corporate sustainability and composite ESG indices. Objectives. The article aims to develop and test a methodology for calculating the composite ESG index and its individual components for the largest Russian companies. Methods. The calculation is based on corporate reporting data from domestic companies for 2018–2023, 120 observations. When compiling the index, we used normalization of indicators, aggregation in the areas of ESG, and construction of the final composite index. Results. The article reveals a high degree of differentiation of companies by ESG component. The article finds that the environmental component demonstrates the most stable dynamics, while the social and governance components remain less developed. Conclusions and Relevance. The ESG aggregated assessment methodology allows for an objective reflection of the non-financial profile of companies and can serve as a strategic analysis tool in the context of the investment environment transformation. The results of the study can be used by analysts, investors, and regulators when assessing the non-financial sustainability of a business, building corporate strategies, and developing ESG ratings.
Keywords: ESG, sustainable development, corporate responsibility, data normalization, composite index
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