(Yicai Global) Sept. 10 -- The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai held its inaugural Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance Summit yesterday.

Meng Liu, head of the China office of the UN Global Compact, delivered an opening keynote speech, titled Elevating Corporate Ambition and Action to Accelerate the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Meng appealed for solidarity from businesses and each of us individually in the “race to net zero.” 

Meng also introduced the United Nations Global Compact's work in China and its Corporate Net Zero Pathway report, which was released in June. The report highlights the important role that infrastructure can play in reducing emissions and is the world's first comprehensive guide for companies to achieve carbon neutrality.

Yao Zhang, deputy director of the National Carbon Market Operation Center at the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, introduced the overall status of China’s carbon market, its carbon trading system and the operation of the carbon market since it officially started online trading on July 16.

At the Summit, BritCham Shanghai’s Executive Director James Dunn announced the Chamber’s environmental commitment pledge. "The chamber will be leading a call to action for businesses to take practical action and follow up with support,” he said, adding that more companies would be invited to join the initiative.

Editor: Tom Litting