Social inequality: Practicing environmental, social and governance principle in China

IF 9.8 1区社会学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Environmental Impact Assessment Review Pub Date : 2025-07-05 DOI:10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108069

Tong Wu , Haidong Zhang , Mengqi Ji , Ruilian Zhang

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Abstract

Social inequality remains a pressing challenge globally, and in China, it has gained renewed attention as the nation integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its development framework. This study explores the intersection of social inequality and ESG practices in China, analyzing how ESG strategies are being implemented to address disparities in income, education, healthcare, and environmental access. Through a review of policy initiatives, corporate practices, and community-level impacts, the research highlights both opportunities and limitations of ESG adoption in mitigating social inequities. The findings suggest that while ESG frameworks promote sustainable and inclusive growth, significant structural barriers and implementation gaps persist. The study calls for a collaborative effort among policymakers, businesses, and civil society to align ESG objectives with equitable development, ensuring that the benefits of sustainability and governance reforms are accessible to all segments of society.

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社会不平等：环境、社会和治理原则在中国的实践

社会不平等仍然是全球面临的紧迫挑战，在中国，随着国家将环境、社会和治理（ESG）原则纳入其发展框架，社会不平等问题再次受到关注。本研究探讨了中国社会不平等与ESG实践的交集，分析了中国如何实施ESG战略来解决收入、教育、医疗和环境准入方面的差距。通过对政策举措、企业实践和社区层面影响的回顾，本研究强调了采用ESG在缓解社会不平等方面的机遇和局限性。研究结果表明，虽然ESG框架促进了可持续和包容性增长，但重大的结构性障碍和实施差距依然存在。该研究呼吁决策者、企业和民间社会共同努力，使ESG目标与公平发展保持一致，确保社会各阶层都能享受到可持续性和治理改革的好处。

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来源期刊

Environmental Impact Assessment Review ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-

CiteScore

12.60

自引率

10.10%

发文量

200

审稿时长

33 days

期刊介绍： Environmental Impact Assessment Review is an interdisciplinary journal that serves a global audience of practitioners, policymakers, and academics involved in assessing the environmental impact of policies, projects, processes, and products. The journal focuses on innovative theory and practice in environmental impact assessment (EIA). Papers are expected to present innovative ideas, be topical, and coherent. The journal emphasizes concepts, methods, techniques, approaches, and systems related to EIA theory and practice.