Increasingly regarded as a global leader on tackling climate change, China is also working towards embedding sustainability across its economy. In their 13th Five-Year Plan, the National People’s Congress outlined their plans for green and low-carbon development by including each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national action plans.

This effort is evident in the recent growth of  ESG-related reporting. Research conducted through the Reporting Exchange identifies 29 corporate sustainability reporting and disclosure requirements, most of which were published since 2010.

China Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD), a coalition of Chinese and foreign enterprises which provides a platform for exchange and cooperation towards the development of sustainable business, was one of the key partners of WBCSD and CDSB in conducting the research and categorization of these requirements and resources for the Reporting Exchange.

Following our work together, we asked Ms. Ji Qing, Secretariat Director and Ms. Jingzhu Zhang, Manager at CBCSD, a few questions about policy, sustainability, reporting and business practices to develop a richer understanding of the Chinese to develop a richer understanding of the Chinese.