Law of Sustainable Development: A Concept and Methodology. Transformation of the ESG Agenda in the Context of Sanction Restrictions

The author deduces, defines and examines the concept of sustainable development law. The paper highlights the formation of the law of sustainable development as a system of norms regulating complex social relations arising in the context of sustainable development (sustainable development relations). The law of sustainable development is already taking shape. It regulates social relations of sustainable development that include environmental, social and corporate relations that mediate social development, ensure satisfaction of the needs of the current generation and do not undermine the ability to meet the needs of future generations. These relations are also regulated by an array of norms of non-state mediating the so-called ESG standards. The author examines a special methodology and specific ways legal impact on regulated social relations characteristic of the law of sustainable development: standardization and conformity determination (comparative methodology). Special attention is paid to the transformation of the law of sustainable development and the ESG agenda in the context of sanctions restrictions. The author concludes that it is advisable to consider the issues of sustainable development and legal regulation of sustainable development relations in modern conditions in the context of differentiated approaches to assessing and promoting sustainability in various areas of public relations. Regulation of public relations in the context of sanctions restrictions should be built with maximum consideration of the instruments of sustainable economic development (assessment of compliance with ESG standards, disclosure of financial and non-financial information, introduction of anti-crisis practices of corporate social responsibility, ensuring a balance of rights and freedoms of citizens in the adoption and implementation of sanctions restrictions, etc.).

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