Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 3 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 3 (2023)

Prostoe Delo

Environmental Consulting Agency Focused on Data-Driven Solutions.

https://prostoe-delo.com/

Prostoe Delo (“Plain Task”) is a pioneer in designing and deploying comprehensive, data-driven ecological solutions tailored for businesses. It takes pride in being the first Russian enterprise partaking in the United Nations’ esteemed international Life Cycle Initiative. Prostoe Delo boasts 170 triumphant case studies and a robust network of more than 60 specialized partners across Russia, Europe, and the USA.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Prostoe Delo equips businesses with the tools to respond to global environmental challenges swiftly and effortlessly, thereby mitigating both ecological and economic risks.

The brainchild of co-founders Anastasia Varlygina and Nikita Litvinov, Prostoe Delo leverages the concept of Protopia to blueprint the future from the present. The founders have visualized the world 5–10 years down the line and have charted a roadmap to reach this envisioned future.

The key direction of the company is working with data and environmental impact assessment. The company’s mission is to nurture a culture of sustainable development within Russia.

Prostoe Delo invests heavily in creating educational programs for employees and top management, conducting research, and working with data: performing LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analysis, calculating carbon footprint, and so on. They also offer consulting on minimizing environmental impact.

Both Anastasia and Nikita, who launched their venture while still studying at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, are focused on environmental conservation.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Prostoe Delo’s activities span several areas:

• Corporate training: through conducting lectures, moderating discussions, developing content, and organizing educational programs on sustainable development, climate agenda, and ecology, the company fosters competencies related to sustainable development and elevates social and environmental awareness among employees and of the company’s clients;

• Research and analytics: they carry out LCA analysis, carbon footprint calculation, environmentally-friendly packaging analysis, supplier analysis, and other solutions, such as locating contractors who can convert organic waste into biogas.

• Consulting: this encompasses optimization of production processes and infrastructure, collaboration with suppliers for responsible procurement, implementation of green office practices, and designing sustainable development strategies for organizations.

The company’s cornerstone is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a tool to evaluate the comprehensive environmental impact of a product, service, or process at every stage of its lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.

The entrepreneurs claim to be trailblazers in this field within Russia, who have been proliferating knowledge about it for over three years. This includes a series of expert webinars on the sustainability assessment and a dedicated Telegram channel, LCA in Russia.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

In 2022, Prostoe Delo’s founders, Anastasia Varlygina and Nikita Litvinov, secured a place on Forbes 30 under 30 longlist.

In 2021, they completed Russia’s first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study of packaging, presenting the findings of the case study at the Baikal Risk Forum.

2020 saw the company receiving the Visionaries Award in the Successful Startup category. This award acknowledges sustainable impact in the economy, ecology, and society and was instituted by Project +1 in 2018.

They were also finalists for the Rusbase Young Awards in 2020 and the Social Impact Award 2019, the latter organized by Impact Hub Moscow.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR

• Conducted four significant LCA studies for domestic and international companies;

• Developed carbon footprint calculators for three enterprises;

• Delivered over 164 hours of presentations;

• Prostoe Delo’s co-founders participated in more than 20 events, such as Founders’ Mondays, the Green Build Project course, the Future of Impact Investing in Russia conference at Noodome, and the Yandex.Q meetup;

• The company took the first steps towards establishing an international presence by undertaking a comprehensive LCA study of cobalt production for a large mining entity, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). This effort was part of a partnership with the Global Battery Alliance (GBA), and the results were exhibited at the World Economic Forum in Davos at the onset of 2023;

• The entrepreneurs attended significant international gatherings like EMERGE, LA Tech Week 2022, TechCrunch, and the UN-hosted Life Cycle Initiative Summit;

• Varlygina and Litvinov became experts in the initiative to develop a Voluntary Standard for Sustainable Packaging and also joined the Sustainable Lifecycle Working Group of POSm ECR;

• Maintained team cohesion throughout a tumultuous period;

• Initiated an internship program for ITMO students at Prostoe Delo.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2022

• Secured 32 new clients and contracts, including Bonduelle, Rockwool, Melon Fashion Group, Etalon, City Makers, and Smart Driving Laboratory LLC, Yandex;

• Doubled the turnover compared to 2021.

SOCIAL EFFECTS ACHIEVED IN 2022

Prostoe Delo invests in educating about and promoting the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool, developing awareness of this field in Russia through internships, expert meetups, presentations at industry conferences, and client-centered educational projects.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

Amidst an unfolding transformation, companies are cultivating a robust corporate culture, bolstering brand loyalty among customers, partners, and employees. This results in a visible improvement in employee productivity, efficiency, creativity, and the strategic competence within the spheres of sustainability and ecology. Above all, these companies are making significant steps in curtailing their ecological footprint.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

B2B

• 30 % of the revenue: corporate training;

• 60 % of the revenue: analytics and research activities;

• 10 % of the revenue: consulting services.