Sustainability & Environmental Consulting

Svetlana Duving, the founder and CEO of Russia’s National Agency for Sustainable Development (NASD), is spearheading an initiative to transform Tarusa, a town located 86 miles from Moscow, into the first eco-town in Russia. The primary challenge faced by Duving and her team was the need to change the entrenched mindsets of local residents regarding sustainability, as many adults held a worldview that was resistant to new ideas about ecological living. To address this, Duving sought a framework that could effectively communicate the principles of sustainability in a relatable manner, leading her to adopt the One Planet Living framework.

In 2017, after moving to Tarusa, Duving initiated local projects and formed a working group that included local stakeholders and experts from Moscow. This collaboration resulted in a strategic analysis of Tarusa, which outlined a mission and a list of tasks aimed at sustainable development. However, the team lacked the resources to hire economists and city designers, which initially hindered their progress. With the support of local officials, including the then-deputy and now mayor Sergey Manakov, the strategy was accepted, and Duving began implementing the One Planet Living framework to guide their efforts.

Since the official adoption of the One Planet Living framework by the city administration in December 2020, Tarusa has made significant strides. Two One Planet Living Action Plans have been completed: one for the City Administration and another for Welna, an eco-spa hotel that is the largest tourist complex in the area. The municipality has also committed to establishing a community recycling point, driven by local initiatives. Furthermore, Mayor Manakov has actively promoted Tarusa's sustainability vision at national events, reaching an audience of over 3,500 participants.

The results of these efforts are beginning to manifest in tangible ways, such as the revitalization of community spaces and infrastructure improvements, including a new tourist information office and a renovated children's library. The ongoing engagement with stakeholders and the community has fostered a culture of sustainability in Tarusa, positioning it as a model for other towns in Russia. Through these initiatives, Tarusa is not only preserving its cultural heritage but also paving the way for a sustainable future.