On October 19, 2024, Beijing welcomed the grand convening of the ESG China Innovation Annual Conference, which focused on the core concept of "stimulating new productivity and jointly building a blueprint for sustainable development". This event belongs to the high-end agenda of the "ESG Release" series of China Central Radio and Television.
At the meeting, more than 500 elite representatives were gathered, including Shao Ning, vice chairman of the Finance and Economic Commission of the 12th National People's Congress, Weng Jieming, vice chairman of the Finance and Economic Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Gou Ping, member of the Party Committee and vice chairman of the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Fang Guanghua, vice chairman of the All China Federation of Industry and Commerce and vice chairman of the China Civil Chamber of Commerce, Peng Huagang, president of the China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Association (former member of the Party Committee and secretary-general of the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council), Ma Yongsheng, chairman of the China Petrochemical Group, Li Yaoqiang, chairman of the China Salt Industry Group, Bu Yulong, chairman of the China International Technology and Intelligence Cooperation Group, Sun Yongcai, chairman of the CRRC Group, central enterprises, local state-owned enterprises, private enterprises, research institutions and media units.
Vice Director Gou Ping emphasized in his speech that the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission regards ESG as a key driving force for the social responsibility of central enterprises, and is committed to the deep integration of corporate compliance and social environment development, keeping up with international cutting-edge standards. He pointed out that in 2023, the comprehensive energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per 10000 yuan of output value of central enterprises decreased by 3% and 3.6% respectively, and the proportion of installed clean energy power generation exceeded 53%.
Vice Chairman Fang Guanghua shared the outstanding contributions of Chinese private enterprises in multiple dimensions in 2023, and revealed that the All China Federation of Industry and Commerce has released two consecutive ESG related reports, conducted training, built an ESG evaluation system that is in line with national conditions, and encouraged private enterprises to actively integrate into national strategies and practice ESG principles.
Vice Chairman Weng Jieming advocates that Chinese enterprises, especially export-oriented enterprises, need to closely align with international advanced ESG rules and practices, deeply integrate ESG into business strategies, and promote the orderly development of ESG work through refined systems and high standard procedures. He reminded companies to seize policy opportunities, efficiently promote ESG projects, and reasonably evaluate their financial benefits.
President Peng Huagang stated that the ESG China Innovation Annual Conference is not only an annual event for global wisdom collision in the ESG field, but also a communication and cooperation platform dedicated to sustainable development, connecting China and foreign countries, promoting the improvement of the ESG system, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility.
In addition, Zhao Mingge, Chairman of Shougang Group, shared Shougang Group's exploration in low-carbon development, industrial chain security, and competitiveness enhancement, including the construction of zero carbon projects, research and development of new smelting technologies to reduce carbon emissions, and the creation of a new landmark in the capital through urban renewal, demonstrating the company's determination to transform into a green enterprise.
At the event, the highly anticipated "2024 ESG Excellence Practice White Paper" was released, which included ESG practice cases from 31 top companies in various industries such as finance, information technology, petrochemicals, energy, construction, steel, equipment manufacturing, new energy, food and beverage, covering central enterprises, local state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises. Zhong Hongwu, a renowned professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and leader of the Responsibility Cloud Research Institute, deeply analyzed the driving forces behind the White Paper and provided a brilliant interpretation with the theme of "Deep Motivation of ESG".
During the keynote speech, Chairman Ma Yongsheng of China Petroleum&Chemical Corporation shared the outstanding achievements of Sinopec in the ESG field, emphasizing that the company has transformed ESG concepts into practical actions, not only winning multiple domestic and international honors, but also maintaining a leading position in ESG ratings. Looking forward to the future, Sinopec will deepen international cooperation, explore the ESG practice path with Chinese characteristics, create more sustainable value, and contribute to the construction of Chinese path to modernization and high-quality economic and social development.
Zhang Wenfeng, General Manager of China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., pointed out that Huaneng has continuously improved its ESG governance, and its five listed companies have fully released ESG reports. At the practical level, the company actively implements the "dual carbon" strategy, builds a new type of power and energy system, and has been awarded the title of World Class Demonstration Enterprise by the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.
General Manager He Biao of China Mobile Communications Group stated that the concept of sustainable development has pointed out the direction of ESG work for China Mobile. As a leading enterprise in the field of information technology, China Mobile is committed to building a strong country in science and technology, network, and digital China, empowering various industries with information technology, and promoting high-quality and sustainable social development.
Chairman Leng Youbin of China Feihe Co., Ltd. believes that ESG is an important standard for measuring the comprehensive value of enterprises. Feihe combines industry characteristics, adheres to responsible management for a long time, and explores a unique ESG development path.
Sun Yongcai, Chairman of CRRC Group, emphasized that CRRC actively responds to the call of the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, takes innovation, reform, and value creation as the core, accelerates the development of new quality productivity, accelerates high-quality development, and strives to create ESG practices with CRRC characteristics, contributing to the construction of a modern industrial system and serving the new development pattern.
Chairman Xu Zengde of China Inspection and Certification Group introduced that China Inspection has established and promoted professional and systematic ESG standards, built a one-stop service chain, and helped enterprises establish a sound ESG management mechanism, ensuring that enterprises have rules to follow in the three dimensions of environment, society, and governance, and promoting the implementation of new development concepts.
Cao Ziyu, Chairman of Hebei Port Group, stated that as an important hub for national energy and raw material transportation, the company always prioritizes ensuring national energy security and serving high-quality economic development, co creating commercial and social value with stakeholders, and actively fulfilling social responsibilities.
In addition, the event also held the "2024 ESG Excellence Practice" award ceremony, where 31 companies including China United Network Communications Group, China Mobile Communications Group, and China FAW Group were honored.
Subsequently, the conference welcomed the grand release ceremony of China's ESG big model, marking an important milestone in the ESG field.
As night fell, the ESG Excellence Practice Seminar kicked off, and a series of important ceremonies were held one after another. Firstly, the "ESG China Innovation Annual Conference Permanent Venue" was officially awarded, laying a solid foundation for the development of China's ESG industry; Subsequently, the Sustainable Development Working Committee of the China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Association was established, injecting new vitality into the sustainable development of ESG. At the meeting, the top ten cutting-edge ESG research topics in China (2025) were also unveiled, and the "China ESG Role Models" series of books and the new book "Runner - The Backbone of China's Economy" were grandly released, showcasing outstanding achievements and fighting spirit in the ESG field.
In the experience sharing session, Vice General Manager Li Xuhong of China Huadian Corporation, Deputy Director Ma Xiaobin of Shanghai State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and General Manager Qiu Yinfu of Shougang Group Co., Ltd. had in-depth exchanges on their respective companies' exploration and achievements in ESG practice, providing valuable insights for the attendees.
In addition, four parallel meetings were held simultaneously, focusing on different themes: the China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Association and Shougang Group Co., Ltd. jointly explored the path of ESG innovation in the steel industry; The conference led by China Inspection and Certification (Group) Co., Ltd. focuses on building an ESG ecosystem and promoting international development together; China CRRC Corporation Limited shared its practices and reflections on green supply chain construction under the theme of "New Quality Leading, Industry Driving, and Practicing Green Supply Chain Construction"; China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. has brought cutting-edge exploration of "technology empowers ESG, AI drives new future", demonstrating the important role of technology in ESG practice.
ESG China, a platform jointly established by the China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Association and the China Social Responsibility Forum, has successfully held 15 major events and released 39 research results since its establishment in 2021, attracting over 5000 participants and involving more than a thousand companies. Looking forward to the future, ESG China will continue to play its role as a bridge and link, promote more regions, industries and enterprises to actively embrace the concept of ESG, comprehensively deepen the practice of ESG, and contribute to the construction of Chinese path to modernization and high-quality development.