#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Nornickel’s first vice president Nikolay Utkin spoke about the programs with which the company will participate in the 2024 II National Award – Leaders of Responsible Business. A press conference dedicated to the start of accepting applications was held at the TASS press center.
The annual award, established by president Vladimir Putin’s order, was held for the first time in 2023. Companies that adhere to the principles of responsible business conduct and issue non-financial reports on sustainable development, disclosing information about the organization’s activities based on the principles of responsible business conduct, can participate in it.
“It is important that the award today is in line with national goals and national projects that are being implemented on the state head’s instructions, including national projects for technological leadership and national projects that affect all sensitive areas of our society. It is also important that the efforts of the state at all levels of government, public institutions and employers be combined in this work”, said Tatyana Golikova, deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation and co-chair of the award’s organizing committee.
Evaluation criteria
Andrey Bugrov, chairman of the award’s expert council, spoke about the criteria for evaluating applicants. He clarified that the council, which develops the methodology and reviews applications, includes authoritative experts in the field of sustainable development, non-financial reporting, company performance assessment, and representatives of rating agencies.
“The methodology, based on the results of its first application, has generally proven itself, and the possibility of its further use has been confirmed, which was noted by the organizing committee for summing up the results of the past award. Based on the experience gained, the methodology was updated, clarified and supplemented. Previously, there were restrictions when companies could submit applications on three topics, now they can submit applications on each of the six topics”, explained Andrey Bugrov.
According to the expert, there is a closer link to national projects, a separate issue concerning support for families, youth, and improving the demographic situation.
Nornickel’s social responsibility
Nornickel’s first vice president Nikolay Utkin emphasized in his speech that social responsibility is not a burden for business, but a necessity, especially for large companies and especially for city-forming enterprises such as Nornickel. Over 60 thousand people currently work in the company’s areas of responsibility.
“As a socially responsible business, we have long made improving the quality of life in the areas of Nornickel’s operations one of our priorities. In 2024, the company, as the largest industrial corporation operating in the Arctic, became the first-degree laureate of the 1st National Award Leaders of Responsible Business”, said Nikolay Utkin.
Three programs presented by Nornickel received a positive assessment – these are the Program for the Social-Economic Development of Norilsk until 2035, the Strategy for Ecology and Climate Change, which was developed until 2030, and the program Present for the Future, within which engineering potential is being developed.
“Of course, we do not do all this for awards. Nornickel is today not so much about business as it is about people. Where our enterprises are located, the company tries to do things for people. Even today, in difficult conditions, we fulfill all our social obligations, support all social projects, modernize existing capacities, and introduce innovative technologies. And the recognition of Nornickel as a leader in responsible business is confirmation that we are moving forward”, the company’s top manager explained.
Nornickel will submit applications in two categories
The company has already decided on the categories for next year, the first one is For contribution to sustainable development of territories, creation of a favorable environment for life of the population in the regions of the company’s presence. In this nomination, Nornickel’s program Social-economic development of Taimyr will be presented. The program was developed with the participation of indigenous peoples of the North, in support of whom the company invests over two billion rubles.
“This is a five-year program, it is unique. It is aimed not only at infrastructure, although there are grants for development, opening of new centers, but above all at maintaining the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples. To maintain the ecology in this territory”, explained Nikolay Utkin.
The second category is For contribution to achieving national goals and objectives aimed at developing human potential. Nornickel has committed to renovating Norilsk and is also implementing a flagship program aimed at improving the ecology of the northern city. Today, an unprecedented Sulfur Program was launched at the Nadezhda metallurgical plant.
“In addition, Nornickel is developing and implementing corporate social programs: attracting and retaining personnel. This is a big problem for large businesses. Especially for remote Norilsk. We are engaged in affordable medical care. As part of corporate medicine, we have opened three of our own medical institutions, 60 health centers. And we will not stop there. I am sure that the example of Nornickel will set good social guidelines and good examples of public-private partnership”, said the Nornickel’s first vice president.
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Text: Anzhelika Stepanova, Photo: Nornickel’s press service
