Introduction. The introduction reveals the significance of ESG factors in modern bank lending and substantiates their connection with credit risk, the financial stability of the borrower and the quality of the bank's loan portfolio. Particular attention is paid to climate-related and environmental risks as factors capable of transforming into traditional banking risks. Methods. The methods section presents the methodological and empirical basis of the study. It is indicated that the analysis is based on the use of systemic, statistical, comparative and regulatory analytical methods, while the information base includes data from the Expert RA rating agency, materials of the Bank of Russia and regulatory sources in the field of sustainable finance. Analysis. The analytical part examines the main types of ESG loans, the role of verification and ESG ratings, the dynamics of the ESG loan portfolio in Russia, its place in the structure of corporate lending, as well as the distribution of the ESG portfolio between systemically important credit institutions and other banks. Based on the analysis, the need for further improvement of mechanisms for stimulating ESG lending is identified. Conclusion. The conclusion formulates the author's proposal to apply a reduction coefficient to the amount of credit exposure on verified ESG loans included in the calculation of the N6 ratio, taking into account the borrower's ESG rating.
