OREANDA-NEWS. As part of the strategic partnership agreement between Unilever and the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, the centre for expertise in the field of sustainable development (SKOLKOVO Sustainability Business Lab) was opened on the platform of the SKOLKOVO Institute for Emerging Market Studies (SKOLKOVO IEMS).

The programmes to be implemented on the basis of SKOLKOVO Sustainability Business Lab are aimed to: evaluate the status of the leading Russian economy sectors from the standpoint of sustainable growth; introduce young entrepreneurs and Russian business leaders to successful global and local examples of the concept implementation; and develop recommendations to accelerate the transition to the "sustainable business model", partially through the tools of " smart" regulation.

The study, designed to define the local specifics and possible barriers to the implementation of sustainable business development policies and practices of in Russia, will be the first step in this direction. Its results will be published in late 2015. Sustainability consists of three key components – environmental, social and economic – which in close coordination make it possible to achieve a harmonious development of an individual, company, society and country as a whole, - says Kenneth Munson, Global Director, Forestry Projects, International Paper. We believe that exactly the strong companies which focus on long-term perspective with responsible attitudes to their operations should ensure sustainable development of business in Russia.

Laurent KLEITMAN, CEO Unilever Russia Ukraine Belarus:

"On the global level, Unilever’s Sustainable Living Lab was launched just two years ago and only in Web format. Whereas in Russia, thanks to our strategic partnership with SKOLKOVO business school, we will be able to implement this model as a full-fledged research, consulting and academic platform".

Andrei SHARONOV, Dean of the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO:

"The concept of sustainable development is being put into practice in many countries, and the leading business schools often serve as the guides for this journey. In Russia this concept is only being formed. SKOLKOVO business school sees the development of Russian business environment as its mission, and we believe it important to show that the implementation of sustainable practices is not only a question of responsibility, but also a way to increase efficiency and profitability. We are glad that the Unilever corporation has become our partner us in the launch of Sustainability Business Lab. International Paper company has already joined the project, and we hope that this initiative will attract a growing number of supporters and partners whose best practices we will be able to use in the implementation of the school’s educational and research projects".

Kenneth Munson, Global Director, Forestry Projects, International Paper:

"Sustainability consists of three key components – environmental, social and economic – which in close coordination make it possible to achieve a harmonious development of an individual, company, society and country as a whole. We believe that exactly the strong companies which focus on long-term perspective with responsible attitudes to their operations should ensure sustainable development of business in Russia".