Introduction
One Domestic enterprises need to tell ESG stories well
reporter:What is the current development trend of ESG in the international market? What are the characteristics of ESG practices in China compared to overseas markets?
Shi Han:The development of international ESG can be understood from three levels. At the regulatory level, more and more countries and regions have formulated ESG related regulations and policies, requiring companies to disclose and manage ESG information; At the market level, investors are increasingly focusing on the ESG performance of companies and incorporating it into investment decisions, driving companies to improve their ESG management capabilities; At the corporate level, companies are gradually recognizing the impact of ESG on company value and are actively improving ESG management to enhance their sustainability capabilities. For example, a study on Fortune 500 companies found that companies that perform well in ESG also outperform other companies in the same industry in terms of stock market value and operating performance.
Compared to overseas, ESG practices in China also have their own characteristics. On the one hand, policy guidance is more clear, and relevant government departments have set clear goals in green development, carbon neutrality, and other areas, providing policy support for corporate ESG practices.
On the other hand, the domestic market places more emphasis on practical results, emphasizing that enterprises have made substantial improvements in environmental, social, and governance aspects. It can be said that Chinese companies have done more but said less about ESG, or they are not yet good at using internationally recognized ESG vocabulary to tell the ESG stories of Chinese companies well.
At present, domestic enterprises are beginning to attach importance to international integration and actively participate in the construction of international ESG standards and evaluation systems to enhance their competitiveness in the global market. For example, Chinese companies have joined the Global Sustainability Reporting Initiative (GRI) and actively responded to the latest ESG disclosure framework standards released by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
Reporter: ESG is gradually becoming an important benchmark for measuring the operational status of enterprises. How do you understand the relationship between ESG and enterprise value?
Shi Han:There is a close relationship between ESG and corporate value. Excellent ESG management can reduce corporate risks, including legal risks, market risks, operational risks, etc., thereby enhancing corporate value. Specifically, good ESG performance can bring value enhancement in the following areas:
One is to enhance the brand image and reputation of the enterprise. Enterprises that focus on environmental protection, social responsibility, and good governance will help improve their brand image and reputation, attract more customers and investors.
The second is to bring better market performance and investment returns. Investors are increasingly focusing on the ESG performance of companies and incorporating it into their investment decisions. Therefore, companies with good ESG performance often achieve higher market valuations and investment returns.
The third is to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Strengthening ESG management helps companies improve operational efficiency, save resources, and reduce costs, further enhancing profitability.
The fourth is to expand new business models and market opportunities. ESG management helps companies discover and enter new business models and market opportunities, such as green finance, circular economy, etc., bringing new growth points to the company.
The fifth is to improve employee satisfaction and cohesion. Enterprises that focus on employee welfare and development can improve employee satisfaction and cohesion, reduce employee turnover rates, and thus enhance the overall competitiveness of the enterprise.
II Progress has been made in ESG construction of industrial parks仍需继续完善
reporter:How do you view the current ESG development of industrial parks as a unique carrier in the domestic market? What are the challenges for ESG construction in future industrial parks?
Shi Han:In recent years, the ESG development policy support for domestic industrial parks has been significantly strengthened, and multiple industrial parks have introduced ESG related policies and measures to guide park enterprises to improve their ESG management level. As the ESG practices of park enterprises gradually deepen, more and more companies are actively disclosing ESG information to improve environmental, social, and governance performance. The construction of ESG in industrial parks is closely linked to innovative development. A few pioneering industrial parks take ESG as an opportunity to accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, and create a green, intelligent, and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
However, the ESG construction of domestic industrial parks also faces some challenges. Firstly, some park enterprises have weak ESG awareness and lack awareness and practical motivation for ESG value. In the later stage, it is necessary to strengthen ESG training and publicity for park management personnel and park enterprises, and enhance their understanding and practical motivation for ESG value.
Secondly, the ESG management capabilities of park enterprises vary greatly, with significant room for improvement in environmental, social, and governance aspects. In the later stage, enterprises in the park can learn from advanced ESG management experiences at home and abroad, while strengthening communication and cooperation with other industrial parks and enterprises.
Finally, the ESG information disclosure and evaluation system of the park is not yet perfect, making it difficult to effectively measure the overall ESG performance of the park. In the later stage, it is also necessary to improve the ESG information disclosure and evaluation system of the park, and motivate enterprises to continuously improve their ESG performance.
总体上，国内产业园区的ESG建设取得一定进展，但仍需完善，特别是要通过加强培训、宣传、交流和合作，以及完善信息披露和评价体系，为实现可持续发展和绿色转型贡献力量。
Reporter: In recent years, the model of domestic industrial parks has gradually gone global, promoting international production capacity cooperation along the "the Belt and Road", and what does it mean for the parks to "go to sea" to do a good job of ESG?
Shi Han:The "the Belt and Road" initiative provides broad development space for the international cooperation of domestic parks. In the future, the geographical layout of offshore parks will be more diversified, the industrial cooperation will be deeper, and the cooperation mode will be more innovative. The "going global" of the park brings a win-win situation. On the one hand, the park can take advantage of the opportunity to go global, introduce international advanced technology and management experience, and enhance its competitiveness. On the other hand, "going global" parks can help promote Chinese enterprises to "go global", achieve industrial transformation and upgrading, and internationalize their brands.
But with the intensification of international market competition, parks need higher ESG standards to compete for market share. Cross border industrial cooperation itself involves complex environmental, social, and governance issues, and parks also need to adapt to ESG regulations and standards in different countries and regions to improve the smoothness of cross-border cooperation.
Therefore, doing a good job in ESG is of great significance for domestic industrial parks to "go global": firstly, enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of parks in the international market; The second is to promote the construction of sustainable industrial and value chains in the park on a global scale; The third is to facilitate the smooth implementation of cross-border cooperation in the park and provide strong support for enterprises to "go global".
III Multi pronged improvement of ESG construction system
Reporter: Currently, the ESG related standards and indicator system in the domestic market are accelerating improvement. Do you have any suggestions on this?
Shi Han:To better promote ESG construction in the domestic market, I believe efforts can be made in several aspects:
One is to optimize the ESG regulations and policy system, including improving the domestic ESG regulations and policy system, providing strong institutional guarantees for the sustainable development of enterprises and parks, and ensuring the effective implementation of various policies and regulations.
The second is to strengthen the innovation capability of ESG practice, encourage enterprises and parks to not only achieve significant results in environmental protection and social responsibility, but also play a leading role in emerging fields such as green finance and circular economy, and promote industrial transformation and upgrading.
The third is to promote international cooperation in ESG, strengthen ESG cooperation with countries and regions around the world, jointly promote the achievement of sustainable development goals, and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to addressing global challenges.
The fourth is to leverage the role of ESG in the capital market, guide capital to concentrate on enterprises and industries with high ESG performance, promote high-quality development of the Chinese economy, and encourage enterprises to strengthen ESG information disclosure and improve market transparency.
The fifth is to improve the ESG information disclosure and evaluation system, establish a more comprehensive and accurate ESG information disclosure and evaluation system, provide high-quality ESG information for investors, and help improve the efficiency and transparency of the capital market.
With the deepening promotion and practice of ESG concepts in China, we believe that domestic enterprises and industrial parks will achieve fruitful results on the path of sustainable development and make positive contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.