Organized by:

• SynTao

Background

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China has emerged as a key actor in shaping global responses to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, including climate change. In recent years, Chinese regulators have introduced a series of policies and guidelines aimed at consolidating the country’s ESG framework and strengthening corporate climate accountability. These measures are reshaping expectations for businesses, investors, and industry associations operating within and beyond China.

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At the same time, China’s evolving regulatory landscape intersects with a growing global emphasis on corporate responsibility for climate impacts. Companies are increasingly expected not only to disclose ESG-related information, but also to adopt meaningful strategies to mitigate climate risks and align with international sustainability standards. This dynamic raises important questions about how businesses in China are responding to regulatory developments, how multiple stakeholders are engaging with these changes, and what implications they hold for global ESG governance.

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By bringing together perspectives from academia, industry, and other sectors, this session aims to map the current state of China’s ESG and climate accountability regime, identify emerging practices, and situate these developments within broader global trends. The discussion will provide participants with a clearer understanding of both the opportunities and challenges involved in bridging policy gaps and advancing corporate climate responsibility.

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Key Objectives

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• Highlight recent regulatory and policy developments in China’s ESG framework and corporate climate responsibility.

• Explore China’s consolidating ESG framework and approaches to corporate climate accountability from multi-stakeholder perspectives.

• Discuss China’s role and impact in the global landscape of ESG and corporate climate accountability.

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Guiding Questions

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• What are the key recent regulatory and policy developments in China’s ESG framework and corporate climate responsibility?

• How are different stakeholders shaping and responding to China’s consolidating ESG framework and approaches to corporate climate accountability?

• In what ways is China contributing to, and being influenced by, global discourses and practices on ESG and corporate climate accountability?

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Format

This session will take the form of a classic panel discussion. It will begin with a brief introduction by the moderator, outlining the background and objectives of the session. Invited speakers—representing academia and industry associations—will then deliver thematic presentations on China’s evolving ESG framework and corporate climate accountability. These presentations will bring together insights from diverse stakeholder perspectives. Following the presentations, the moderator will facilitate an open and interactive Q&A session. The session is designed to map the current regulatory landscape and highlight best practices relating to corporate climate responsibility and accountability in China. Through expert contributions and participant engagement, the discussion aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of both the opportunities and challenges in this rapidly developing area.

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Session Partners