In China, ESG and sustainability related policies are developing rapidly.
The Chinese government has taken a series of measures to promote ESG and sustainable development. In the "Progress Report on China's Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2023)", it is mentioned that,China has made positive progress on multiple sustainable development goals, including the historic elimination of absolute poverty, comprehensive development of social undertakings, and continuous improvement of the ecological environment.
ESG policies, regulations, and exchange supervision are becoming increasingly strict.The exchange has gradually stipulated in the listing rules that issuers need to regularly disclose their ESG reports or management situation. In April 2024, the three major exchanges officially released guidelines for sustainable development reports of listed companies.
What is sustainable development?
sustainable developmentIt is a broad concept that refers to the development that meets the needs of contemporary people without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.It emphasizes long-term balance and covers the development of the economy, society, and environment, aiming to achieve long-term social, economic, and environmental well-being。
When it comes to sustainable development, it must be mentionedUnited Nations Sustainable Development GoalsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have compiled 17 Sustainable Development Goals based on the content on the United Nations website, as shown in the table below.
The SDGs are 17 global development goals proposed by the United Nations, officially adopted at the Sustainable Development Summit held in New York in September 2015.
Sustainable Development GoalsThe proposal is aimed at guiding global development work from 2015 to 2030, comprehensively addressing development issues in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions, and achieving a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive society by 2030.
sustainable developmenttargetCall on all countries (whether poor, wealthy, or middle-income) to take action to promote prosperity while also considering environmental protection.
They recognize that poverty eradication must go hand in hand with economic growth and strategies to address a range of social needs, including education, health, social security, and employment opportunities, while addressing climate change and environmental protection.
Progress towards Sustainable Development Goals
There are only six years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, but progress towards sustainable development has stagnated in many areas, partly due to various crises intertwined - rising inflation and cost of living crises, as well as global, environmental, and economic difficulties, regional and national unrest, conflicts, and natural disasters.
The United Nations released in June 20242024 Sustainable Development Goals ReportIt is pointed out that,Only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals are currently progressing smoothly, nearly half of the goals have made little or moderate progress, and over one-third of the goals have stagnated or regressed.
The report shows that compared to 2019, 202223 million people have been added to extreme povertyMore than 100 million people suffer from hunger.
As of May 2024, the number of forcibly displaced persons has reached a new historical high, approaching 120 million people. Amidst the escalating violence, the number of civilian casualties has surged by 72% between 2022 and 2023, highlighting the urgent need for peace.
This year is also the hottest year in history, with global temperatures rising close to the critical point of 1.5 ° C.
The world has made progress in certain areas, such as making zero carbon technology one of the many climate mitigation strategies. In most regions, girls are on par with or even surpass boys in completing all levels of education. In just eight years, the Internet penetration rate has increased by about 70%,This also indicates that rapid transformation is achievable。
Similarly, the progress made in the fight against HIV over the past decades has provided a reference for overcoming other epidemics through global solidarity and scientific breakthroughs. The United Nations Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, emphasized:“The era of verbal promises is over - political declarations must be immediately translated into action. We must take immediate action and act boldly。”