Polyus joined the National ESG Alliance in developing a Quality of Life Index for small and medium-sized industrial towns with under 100,000 inhabitants.
Using this index, the companies will better evaluate efficiency of their corporate social impact, understand strengths and weaknesses in urban sustainable development from human perspective and human values, define priorities for better livelihoods, improve quality of social investments and create green and inclusive environment.
The survey covered 120 municipalities with some 6,8 mln inhabitants in total. Towns in 46 Russian regions were rated based on 70 indicators grouped in 11 key dimensions. The findings provided for a comprehensive profile for each town.
«The index metrics covers many aspects ranging from environmental and municipal improvement to the level of social trust and civil rights,» Daria Grigoreva, Sustainability Director in Polyus, said. «Our company participated directly in developing methodology and conducting the survey. As part of this, we surveyed five towns in our regions of operations including Aldan, Bodaibo, Lesosibirsk, Nizhny Kuranakh, and Ust-Omchug. Such polls highlight the social infrastructure the company may further contribute to.»
Bodaibo had one of the best ratings in Income and Work metrics among surveyed municipalities where Polyus operates. Ust-Omchug ranked first by Leisure. Nizhny Kuranakh outscored its peers in Income and Work and Health parameters. Lesosibirsk scores in Education were higher than the group’s average. Aldan made it to the top in Health dimension due to affordable healthcare services and high public satisfaction with their quality.
The database collected as part of the index development is available here.