The "2023 For Good Annual Conference | Value Innovation in ESG and Sustainable Development - ESG Ecological Conference" haf be held in Shenzhen from November 28 to 29, 2023. This year's conference, themed "Value Innovation in ESG and Sustainable Development," sincerely invites all enterprises and investment institutions that focus on long-term vision, prioritize value, and balance ethics and profits to explore the innovative path of integrating sustainable social value and commercial value in Chinese enterprises and capital.

The event has invited numerous experts, entrepreneurs, managers, and industry leaders from various fields to come together and discuss how to lead high-quality business development through social value innovation in the context of global uncertainty. This conference also awarded eight categories of the 2023 For Good Awards. Mr. Qu Weifeng, CEO of Leverage, attended this annual meeting as well. During the award ceremony held on the second day of the conference, Mr. Qu, as the General Manager of Leverage, was honored as one of the Annual Top 10 Philanthropic Entrepreneurs. Additionally, Leverage received the Annual Top 10 Philanthropic Enterprises Finalist Medal and the Annual Philanthropic Enterprise Certificate.

Shenzhen, as a “testing ground” and “window” for reform and opening-up, has consistently focused on building an innovation demonstration zone for the national sustainable development agenda. As a pioneering city in sustainable development, Shenzhen is well-positioned within the Greater Bay Area to promote the sustainable development, high-quality growth, and globalization of Chinese enterprises, backed by its natural advantages and rich experience.

At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, we can witness the innovative vitality from the Greater Bay Area. The conference will explore how companies in the Greater Bay Area leverage social value to enhance high-quality innovation, how ESG initiatives support high-quality international expansion for businesses, and how investment institutions contribute to sustainable development goals through sustainable finance.

Climate change is profoundly impacting human production, living environments, and consumer mindsets. The global sustainable development agenda urgently needs to get back on track. Behind the challenges lie vast development opportunities. In this context, the continuously evolving new international accounting standards are also reshaping business operating rules.

At the 2023 Light Year Conference, attendees will gain insights into the future business development environment from the United Nations and international authoritative organizations. They will also receive analyses of market dynamics and shifts in consumer behavior from leading domestic research institutions, as well as firsthand understandings of ESG from industry organizations like the Association of Listed Companies and many top enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Within the framework of sustainable development goals, and under the promotion of major strategic issues and policies such as the domestic "dual carbon" initiative, rural revitalization, and the elderly care system, social issues like green development, rural revitalization, healthcare, and emergency safety are injecting new momentum for innovation and transformation into traditional industries. At the same time, these developments are continuously giving rise to new formats and business models.

At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, the public will see how rural scenes leverage artificial intelligence and IoT technologies to empower traditional agriculture, and how new forms and categories such as e-commerce and pre-prepared meals drive the integration of related industrial chains in rural areas. In green and low-carbon scenarios, attendees will explore how upstream and downstream collaboration in the supply chain achieves emission reduction targets. In the healthcare scene, they will witness how the integration of technology and society fosters quality and dignified lives for more elderly and disabled individuals. Additionally, in the context of urban sustainable development, they will learn how digitization enhances urban resilience and governance levels.

Technology Changes the World, and Innovation Makes Life Better." According to the "Annual Report on the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in China 2022," the total amount of contracts for technology transfer from universities and research institutes reached approximately 158.2 billion yuan during the reporting period, marking a year-on-year increase of about 25%. The transformation of scientific and technological achievements in China is thriving. Under the strategy of innovation-driven development, connecting the innovation chain of industry, academia, and research, and promoting the integration of production, education, research, and application—guided by the government, led by enterprises, with collaboration from educational institutions, diverse investments, and shared achievements—will be the essential path for converting innovative outcomes into real value.

At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, participants had witness how the most dynamic industrial development research institutes in the country are reforming and innovating to promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Attendees will also see vibrant case studies where technological achievements are combined with social needs and market demands to realize innovation value, as well as how industrial chains and technological investments accelerate the process of bringing scientific achievements to market.

Renowned media figure Mr. Qin Shuo commented on Tencent's sustainable value innovation, stating, "If a technology company can be people-oriented, care about individuals and society, and focus on genuinely enhancing human well-being while forming broad consensus, collaboration, and action, it will be better positioned to promote sustainable social development. This profound process of integration into society will also bring about the 'regeneration' and new development of enterprises." In the years of advocacy for a brighter future, we can see that companies are integrating social value with commercial value. This is not merely driven by idealistic sentiments; rather, the fusion of the two can continuously inject sustainable power for long-term development into enterprises from the grassroots level. At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, attendees will see diverse companies from various industries and of different scales. 

According to the latest data from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the global impact investing market has surpassed the trillion-dollar mark, reaching $1.164 trillion. As of June 2023, there are a total of 5,381 signatories of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) worldwide, including 174 asset managers from China. In both 2021 and 2022, more than 40 new members were added each year. Many of these institutions have already begun to practice impact investing.

At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, the public could see the best practices in ESG impact investing from both domestic and international sources, as well as the development trends of global ESG impact investing. This conference will address how ESG impact investing can carry out comprehensive impact measurement and management, and how the value creation, measurement, and management of impact investing can be integrated into the strategies, operations, and management models of enterprises through ESG impact investing institutions.

In 2022, the transaction scale of live-streaming e-commerce reached 3.5 trillion yuan, and the influencer economy has become an important sector in economic and social development, driving the transformation and upgrading of both the service and manufacturing industries. As various industries embrace digital economic forms like live streaming, using network KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) and new media platforms to communicate corporate social values to consumers and the public promotes broader awareness and participation in sustainable development actions, which holds significant value and meaning.

At the 2023 For Good Annual Conference, leading influencers with a sense of social responsibility were invited for the first time to participate in the Light Market live-streaming event. They promoted carefully selected products that are environmentally friendly, support farmers, and embody sustainable concepts and social value attributes. This initiative aims to help businesses that care about the environment and society enhance their brand awareness and product sales, while also conveying a beautiful and sustainable lifestyle to more consumers. Additionally, the 2023 For Good Annual  Conference partnered with Sina Weibo to create a new hotspot for sustainable development by engaging enterprises focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainable social values on the Weibo platform, encouraging public participation.

In the face of climate challenges, adopting a green strategy is essential for all Chinese companies

In 2015, the 178 signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement aimed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Eight years later, achieving this goal appears increasingly daunting. Nevertheless, efforts are being made worldwide to realign with this objective. Nearly 150 countries have announced carbon neutrality targets, collectively accounting for 88% of global carbon emissions, 92% of GDP, and 89% of the global population. This underscores the inevitability of a global shift towards green and low-carbon practices.

China is committed to addressing climate change as part of its national strategy, having established the dual carbon goals of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The government is actively enhancing its policy framework, sending a clear message to all businesses: adopting a green strategy is no longer optional; it is essential for survival. Furthermore, China's aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 is projected to generate a cumulative investment demand of 13.9 trillion yuan, with green finance playing an increasingly critical role in advancing overall social and economic development.

Looking ahead, the focus and investment that companies place on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, along with their planning and execution of ESG strategies, are likely to yield immediate financial benefits, such as access to green credit and impact investments. Additionally, these efforts will be vital for building future core competitiveness.

The information age expands the boundaries of businesses, compelling them to adapt to a new ecosystem of stakeholders

China's industrialization is transitioning from its middle and late stages to the final stage. The rise of information technology has transformed the relationships between businesses, customers, and stakeholders. Increasingly, companies are shifting away from traditional values of “prioritizing scale, low costs, and profit” toward a focus on “high quality, innovation, and mutually beneficial outcomes.” Today, businesses must consider: “How can we generate benefits that promote social progress and environmental harmony while also achieving corporate growth and enhancing company value?”

In a more diverse stakeholder ecosystem, establishing a sustainable business model and embracing the principles of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) can provide businesses with substantial asset premiums in both the short and long term. This approach enhances corporate value through five key aspects: improving risk resilience, increasing brand social value, boosting customer loyalty, fostering employee engagement, and cultivating positive relationships with policymakers. As UN Secretary-General Guterres stated, sustainable development is the most effective business strategy.

The information age is expanding the boundaries of businesses, necessitating their adaptation to a new ecosystem of stakeholders

China's industrialization is advancing from its middle and late stages to the final phase. The rise of information technology has transformed the relationships between businesses, customers, and stakeholders. An increasing number of companies are moving away from the traditional values of "prioritizing scale, low cost, and profit" and shifting towards a focus on "high quality, innovation, and mutual benefit." Today, businesses must ask themselves: "How can we create value that promotes social progress and environmental harmony while also achieving corporate growth and enhancing our overall value?"

In a more diverse stakeholder ecosystem, establishing a sustainable business model and embracing the principles of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) can yield significant asset premiums for businesses in both the short and long term. This approach enhances corporate value in five key areas: improving risk resilience, increasing brand social value, boosting customer loyalty, fostering employee engagement, and nurturing positive relationships with policymakers. As UN Secretary-General Guterres stated, sustainable development is the most effective business strategy.

To Achieve High-Quality Overseas Expansion, Chinese Enterprises Must Learn Esperanto

The trajectory of Chinese enterprises expanding globally is undergoing significant evolution. In the current wave of globalization encompassing capital, technology, branding, and services, businesses face realistic challenges stemming from entrenched perceptions of Chinese enterprises worldwide. Beyond cost-effectiveness, what additional attributes can Chinese brands leverage to earn recognition from international customers?

Simultaneously, international trading regulations are in flux. Notably, the EU's carbon tariff mechanism has been enacted and will officially impose tariffs on high-carbon emission industries starting in 2025, expanding to encompass all enterprises connected to the EU carbon trading system by 2030.

In navigating these challenges and seizing opportunities, Chinese enterprises must focus on building their brands internationally, making "Esperanto"—a metaphor for a common understanding—a vital necessity. They must establish robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks to gain entry into global markets. Furthermore, they should strive to create shared value for customers and stakeholders by embracing universal values represented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been unanimously adopted by all UN member states.

China is currently at a pivotal stage in its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) development. Key questions include how to standardize ESG evaluation and disclosure, and how to strengthen the integration of ESG principles within enterprises.

In 2024, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ESG concept. Looking ahead, the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 may be closer than we think. This journey begins with our actions today. Every commitment to carbon neutrality, every net-zero target, and every initiative aimed at reducing emissions contributes to a greener future. Leverage is dedicated to utilizing the expertise of its team to assist companies in their transition toward sustainable development.   We are eager to collaborate with more partners to advance ESG initiatives in China.