The article examines the history and pace of the entry of the ESG strategy into the Russian reality, the dynamics of its formation against the background of the complicated international situation. The role of automation of technological processes in all aspects of the agenda is explicated. The key automation technologies in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, energy, and the oil and gas industry that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the stimulation of the entry of the Russian business community into ESG practices is provided by government policy with the support of the country's banking system with the introduction of, among other things, a national green financing system. The research materials are documents reflecting the state policy of the Russian Federation on issues reflected in the ESG strategy, including regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation. Analytical reports and statistical data from UNEP, IFRS, Russian banks, rating agencies, as well as scientific papers by experts in this field have been studied. The research methodology was based on the use of content analysis as the main method, as well as the method of historicism and structural and functional analysis. The main challenges and trends for achieving universal coverage of Russian production with a sustainable development strategy have been identified, among which are automation based on digitalization, import substitution in the fields of robotics, the development of domestic artificial intelligence, and the creation of a unified national rating system.