SIBUR's Tobolsk Forest project wins the Leader in Climate Development contest

25 october 2022

SIBUR took part in The Leader in Climate Development contest organized by Moscow’s Government. The company's Tobolsk Forest project won the first prize in the Business: Manufacturing with Environmental Benefits category where it competed with initiatives of large and medium-sized businesses aimed at reducing the climate impact, adapting to climate change, minimizing the impact on the environment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative to launch the Tobolsk Forest project comes from ZapSibNeftekhim, a subsidiary of SIBUR that is based in Tobolsk, and Tyumen Oblast’s Forestry Department. Since 2019, their joint efforts have made it possible to plant more than 45,000 saplings of common pine helping grow more than 12 hectares of new forest, to hold three grant contests for school forestry teams, and to support 27 research projects of school students. These educational events were attended by over 250 teachers and about 500 school students. More than 800 eco-volunteers from within the ranks of SIBUR's workforce took part in the planting of the saplings.

Since 2022, Tyumen Oblast's success has been replicated in other regions where the company has a presence including the Republic of Bashkortostan, Amur, Nizhegorodskaya and Tomsk Oblasts.

The Leader in Climate Development contest was initiated by the Government of Moscow with the aim of selecting and promoting the best ideas and practices in such areas as climate and adaptation to climate change, ecology, energy conservation, recycling, conservation of natural heritage, building an environment- and climate-friendly urban environment, and developing environmental and climate-friendly technologies. The contest’s organizers pay particular attention to including projects already implemented in various regions of the Russian Federation with the potential of being replicated in other areas.

Upon receiving the award, Elena Snezhko, head of the Formula for Good Deeds program, made the following remarks:
SIBUR has been integrating the principles of environmental responsibility into all aspects of its business. As part of our social investments program, we strive to involve the broadest range of our partners and counterparties in our environmental programs, volunteering campaigns, and outreach projects. Thanks to our cooperation with the Forestry Department of Tyumen Oblast, we were able to additionally bring on board the region's school forestry teams. We will be happy to share our experience, because preserving forests is our common mission.