ESG News | July

Selected Monthly ESG News

Responsible Investment

1. Shenzhen Stock Exchange completed 2021 information disclosure of listed companies on the Main board and Shenzhen-Chinext

On July 4th, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange completed the information disclosure assessment of listed companies on the Main Board and Shenzhen-Chinext in 2021 and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the information disclosure of 2,553 listed companies. Among them, 550 companies disclosed social responsibility reports or ESG reports, an increase of more than 100 over 2020. 1,559 companies revealed environmental protection, pollution prevention, resource conservation, ecological protection, and other related content in their annual reports, further enhancing their awareness of social responsibility.

Green Finance

1. China Green Bond Market Report 2021, labeled green bonds surged 140%

On July 4th, China Green Bond Market Report 2021, jointly compiled by the Climate Bond Initiative (CBI) and the China Bond Research and Development Center, was officially released. The report shows that China issued $109.5 billion of labeled green bonds in domestic and foreign markets in 2021, an increase of 140% over the same period last year. Public utilities, finance, and industry play a leading role in the domestic green bond issuance market.

2. China Green Bond Principles Officially Released

On July 29th, the China Green Bond Standard Committee issued the China Green Bond Principles, covering green financial bonds, green debt financing instruments, and other green bonds. The principles clearly defined four core elements, such as funds usage, project evaluation, and selection, as well as green bonds, such as carbon income green bonds and green project income bonds, which help to improve the transparency of green finance and enhance the standardization of China's green finance system.

Sustainable Investing

1. The world's first 100% clean energy exchange station was put into operation in Lhasa

On July 6th, the world's first 100% clean energy exchange station was put into operation in Lhasa. The electricity needed for the exchange station comes from Tibet's solar energy, water power, and other clean energy sources to meet the replenishment needs of new energy vehicles in Lhasa. Currently, there are 106 third-party charging stations and 439 third-party charging piles in Tibet.

2. The National Development and Reform Commission issued a circular on the issuance of the new urbanization implementation plan of the 14th Five-Year Plan

On July 12nd, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a circular on the issuance of the new urbanization implementation plan of the 14th Five-Year Plan, proposing to promote low-carbon production and lifestyle. The government will   encourage the electric replacement of public service vehicles, increasing the proportion of urban new energy public transport vehicles to 72% by 2050 and building a comprehensive recycling system of waste materials in about 60 large and medium-sized cities.

Carbon Finance

1. The first anniversary of the launch of China's national carbon emissions trading market.

On July 16th marks the first anniversary of the launch of China's national carbon emissions trading market. According to data from the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, as of July 15, 2022, the national carbon market carbon emission quota was 194 million tons, with a turnover of 8.492 billion yuan, which is also the largest spot carbon market in the world. It can be seen that the operation and trading of the national carbon market are stable and orderly, and the development potential is worth looking forward to.

2. Singapore Carbon Neutral Development (Group) Pte. Ltd. (SCNG) was officially established in Singapore.

On July 19th, China Carbon Neutral Development Group Ltd announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that its subsidiary Singapore Carbon Neutral Development (Group) Pte. Ltd. (SCNG) was officially established in Singapore. SCNG focuses on carbon asset development and management and negative carbon emission industries in ASEAN, specifically including carbon neutralization core businesses such as carbon consulting and verification, carbon asset development and trading, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

3. CHN Energy, and other energy enterprises jointly released the "Energy carbon chain" platform.

On July 29th, under the guidance of the National Energy Administration, the State Grid Corporation of China, CHN Energy, and other energy enterprises jointly released the "Energy carbon chain" platform. The platform helps the energy industry to collect, store, analyze and trade carbon emissions data, and enhance the credibility of carbon emissions data. In addition, the "energy carbon chain" has been applied in more than 20 provinces across China to promote green and low-carbon energy construction.