The main strategic focus for Sber through 2026 centers on putting people at the heart of every decision. Tatyana Zavyalova, Sberbank’s Senior Vice President for ESG, outlines how this people-first approach translates into concrete actions on the ESG journey.
She explains that talking about human-centered leadership in strategic management must be aligned with sustainable development principles. This is a fresh business perspective that values people and aims to raise the quality of life over the long term, not just today. The aim is to connect business outcomes with the well‑being of individuals and communities in a lasting way.
Sustainable development, as described by Zavyalova, rests on a clear understanding of current needs while anticipating future ones. Sber maintains an ongoing dialogue with customers and partners to capture evolving expectations and to translate those insights into practical opportunities. This conversation is fundamental to shaping products, services, and programs that genuinely reflect the lived realities of people in various regions.
In regional markets, the bank notes that around 40% of Russian needs intersect with the ESG agenda. People express concerns across environmental dimensions: air quality worries about 60% of respondents, water pollution concerns affect 57%, and 50% reference the unsustainable use of natural resources. These numbers illustrate the tangible pressures that communities face and help guide targeted responses that can be replicated in other markets with similar environmental challenges.
According to Zavyalova, nearly a third of Russians feel a personal responsibility for environmental progress, a sentiment shared by many business leaders. A people-first approach requires active participation, meaningful contributions, and timely actions tailored to social demands through tools and solutions that meet real needs.
The plan involves collaborating with customers and partners in a region-by-region manner, crafting bespoke initiatives, solutions, and instruments that advance regional sustainable development goals. This is not about charity; it is about building resilient local ecosystems where families, enterprises, and communities can thrive together.
As she emphasizes, the core of the strategy is the creation of jobs and opportunities that benefit people, businesses, regions, and the nation. The aim is for all stakeholders to notice a measurable improvement in living standards, commercial activity, and broader socio‑economic progress derived from Sber’s initiatives or its cooperative programs with the bank.
The bank’s three‑year ESG plan, extending through 2026, targets meaningful milestones such as growing the share of customers who behave as responsible consumers from 4.7 million to 6.5 million, while deepening cooperation with diverse regions to strengthen regional collaboration. The ESG conversion rate is also targeted to rise from 61 to 70, reflecting a deeper integration of sustainable practices across operations.
Zavyalova underscores Sber’s ambition to be a trusted ally for people as they manage today’s realities and build a sustainable future, with digital technologies and next‑generation artificial intelligence playing a central role in facilitating this journey. The emphasis is on practical tools that empower individuals and organizations to make responsible choices and to participate actively in the transition toward more sustainable economies. This is not just about coming up with ideas; it is about delivering tangible, everyday benefits that people can feel and rely on in the years ahead [Citation: Sber ESG Report, 2023–2026].