According to the business publication The Page, the agro-industrial holding Astarta-Kyiv, one of the largest industrial milk producers in Ukraine, ranked among the leaders of the first Sustainable Development Programs Ranking.
The company placed fifth overall among Ukrainian businesses implementing systematic ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.
The rating did not evaluate charitable initiatives, but rather comprehensive sustainable development programs that include environmental responsibility, corporate governance, business transparency, and social projects.
Top 5 Companies in the Ranking
Based on the evaluation by an expert jury, the top five companies were:
- Deloitte Ukraine — 80 points
- Metinvest Group — 79 points
- SoftServe — 78.5 points
- Enzym Group — 76.7 points
- Astarta-Kyiv — 69 points
For the agricultural sector, this is a notable result, as Astarta is the only agro-industrial company included in the top five.
Astarta — leader in dairy production
Astarta-Kyiv is one of Ukraine’s largest vertically integrated agro-industrial holdings and a major industrial milk producer.
The company actively integrates sustainability principles into its business strategy and financial planning. Its ESG approach is based on a comprehensive climate risk governance framework, developed in cooperation with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and EY
The group’s sustainability program includes:
- integrated reporting
- independent verification of data by Kreston auditors
- systematic monitoring of environmental indicators across all business segments, from crop production to livestock farming
Focus on Decarbonization and Energy
One of the key priorities of the company’s strategy is decarbonization of production.
Astarta-Kyiv conducts detailed accounting and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions across all business segments, including dairy farming.
To reduce its climate impact, the company invests in:
- renewable energy
- energy-efficient technologies
- sustainable agricultural practices such as cover crops and innovative soil management methods
Back in 2014, the holding commissioned one of the largest bioenergy complexes in Ukraine, operating on biogas.
ESG Becoming a Business Standard
The Sustainable Development Programs Ranking aims to showcase best ESG practices among Ukrainian companies and create benchmarks for other businesses.
The project was organized by The Page, which previously launched projects such as “Best Employers of Ukraine” and “Business Drivers.”
In the new study, the expert jury evaluated 15 companies using criteria such as:
- a clearly defined ESG strategy
- measurable KPIs and results
- involvement of top management
- non-financial reporting and auditing
- innovation and transparency in communications
ESG Market Still Developing
According to the ranking organizers, many Ukrainian companies still confuse ESG strategies with traditional corporate social responsibility, which is often limited to charitable initiatives.
In contrast, ESG requires systematic risk management, business transparency, and environmental responsibility.
Despite the ongoing war, the integration of sustainability principles is becoming increasingly important for Ukrainian companies, as European integration and access to international capital markets require compliance with ESG standards.
Source: The Page
