As the situation changes, trading economics"Rational homo economicus pursues the maximization of economic benefits"This"Roots"Conclusions are being challenged. The rise of the concept of corporate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reflects that maximizing economic value is no longer the only goal of a business. Based on"Social responsibility is the foundation of an enterprise"Many companies are beginning to focus on social and environmental responsibility and incorporate sustainable elements into their operations. IBM pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in its 2021 ESG report, while South Korea's SK plans to contract a 1% share of global CO2 emission reductions. Schneider Electric showcased the first home energy solution made from ocean-bound plastic materials. At the same time, listed companies have also begun to actively release ESG reports, and ESG investment has attracted more and more attention in the capital market.
However, in the enterprise has been established"Carbon neutral"、"Zero carbon"、"Net zero"Behind the various goals, some companies have embarked on"Greenwashing"A fork in the road. In order to cater to the demand for ESG investment, some companies arbitrarily label their products as ESG or exaggerate the environmental benefits and sustainability capabilities of their products to attract investors. This has led to the coexistence of real and false problems in the low-carbon and green of enterprises.
At the root of this, companies face three paradoxes in low-carbon practices. First of all, there is a contradiction between the economic nature of the enterprise and the public welfare of environmental protection. Mostly"Zero carbon"The cost of the solution is higher than that of the fossil fuel solution"Green premium"often hinders the business"Decarbonization"Let's go. Second, there is a contradiction between the short-term interests of business operations and the long-term graduality of environmental changes. For profit purposes, many companies are reluctant to actually participate in environmental action. However, when the wave of green consumption emerges, companies are happy to pass it"Greenwashing"Packaging itself as synonymous with green consumption, this marketing practice obscures the non-environmental logic behind it and aggravates the paradox. Third, low-carbon behavior is difficult to quantify, while ESG indicators can be quantified. Environmental behavior is often difficult to quantify directly, and ESG indicators have become the measurement standard. As a result, both businesses and investment institutions will use this system to get high scores, and some will even use opportunism to achieve their goals. Not only does this behavior make no real contribution to environmental protection, but it can also mislead the public.
In order to solve these problems, it is necessary to establish a set of mechanisms to effectively drive enterprises to actively comply with low-carbon development, and form a self-driven system for enterprises, the state and society to jointly promote low-carbon development.
First of all, we can promote production reform and industrial substitution through technological innovation, and reduce the cost of using clean energy"Green premium"Translate to"Green earnings"。At the same time, the state and society should build a policy and market system to support green technologies, and promote enterprises to gradually realize the greening of product chains.
Secondly, it is necessary to jump out of the unified or market framework and establish a participation structure at different levels of the state, enterprises and society to form a positive feedback loop. This is a profound economic and social systemic green revolution, which requires adjustment and change in all aspects from personal consumption to enterprise production. While formulating green policies and measures, the state should enhance green supply, guide enterprises and individuals to strengthen environmental awareness, and promote green packaging, green procurement and green development. In addition, education and publicity are also important means of social participation, through the promotion of ecological civilization publicity and education, guide people to practice the concept of green life, and strengthen the harmonious coexistence of man and nature.
Finally, a green market system and mechanism can be established to promote enterprises to strengthen the layout of green industries, help energy conservation and emission reduction in various industries through technologies and solutions, and help users and consumers improve their awareness of carbon neutrality and achieve carbon neutrality through product reach.
Take Apple as an example, for example, Apple used to be rated as the "least environmentally friendly company" due to chemical spills, but as the concept of environmental protection and low carbon was widely spread, Apple realized that carbon neutrality was no longer a slogan, but an opportunity to create value for the brand and achieve business growth, and they adopted measures such as low-carbon design, improved energy efficiency, use of clean electricity and reduced direct emissions, and in parallel with the investment in carbon removal projects and the issuance of green bonds. These initiatives have transformed Apple from being rated as the "least environmentally friendly company" to being an environmental role model, ranking high in environmental groups and **.
When a company's green contribution is transformed into a revenue curve, and carbon emissions are transformed into a cost curve, the company will naturally achieve a goal of returning"I want to be low-carbon"toward"I want to be low-carbon"The logical shift. Such a transformation will give enterprises a more comprehensive social attribute and redefine the social value of enterprises. In"Ternary economy"In the times, the goal of sustainable development of enterprises should be changed from the simple pursuit of the interests of the market economy to the cause"Externalities"Internalize for its own cost and social responsibility to achieve the sustainable development of the enterprise.