UNGC：2023助力企业推进“一带一路”可持续基础设施建设,强化对可持续发展目标的积极影响可持续发展目标指南和评估工具（英文原版+译版）（90页）.pdf

1、ThisPublicationisanoutputoftheUNPeaceandDevelopmentTrustFund(UNPDF)supportedproject(PDF-SDG-2021-8):Implementing2030AgendathroughUNGCActionPlatformonSustainableInfrastructurefortheBeltandRoadInitiativetoAcceleratetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Inhisremarksatthe

2、SecondBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationin2019,theSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsMr.AntonioGuterresemphasized,“ThefivepillarsoftheBeltandRoadpolicycoordination,facilitiesconnectivity,unimpededtrade,financialintegrationandpeople-to-peopleexchangesareintr

3、insicallylinkedtothe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals.”And“theworldwillbenefitfromaBeltandRoadInitiativethataccelerateseffortstoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)”.SupportedbytheUNPDF,theUNGlobalCompacthasdevelopedthisSDGGuideandSDGimpactassessmenttool,w

4、iththeobjectivetoengageprivatesectorplayersparticipatingininfrastructureprojectsundertheBeltandRoadInitiativetoaligntheiroperationswiththeSDGstherebyensuringthatpeopleandplanetprosperasaresultofresponsiblebusinessconductthatrealizestheprivatesectorsgreates

5、tpotentialtoacceleratetheSDGs.WewouldliketothankthefollowingUNagencies,thinktanks,organizationsandindividuals1fortheirinvaluablecontributiontothedevelopmentoftheGuide:TheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)TheUnitedNationsChildrensFund(UNICEF)UNWomenInternation

6、alLabourOrganization(ILO)TheUnitedNationsResidentCoordinatorsOfficeinChinaWewouldliketoexpressourappreciationfortheinvaluablesupportoftheUnitedNationsPeaceandDevelopmentTrustFunds(UNPDF)inmakingthispublicationavailable.PURPOSEOFTHEPUBLICATIONANDACKNOWLEDGEMENTS1

7、XihengJiang,ZhouTaidong,ChengHanandetc.ChartingaSustainablePath:TheConfluenceoftheBRIandtheSDGsInourrapidlyglobalizingworld,theneedforsustainable,inclusiveandresilientinfrastructuredevelopmenthasneverbeenmorecrucial.Sinceitsinceptionin2013,theBeltandRoadInitiat

8、ive(BRI)hasprovidedapromisingavenuetothisendbyweavingtogetheratapestryofinterconnectednationsstrivingforabrighterandmoresustainablefuture.TheUnitedNations,particularlythroughtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),outlinesacomprehensivevisionforafuturewhereeveryin

9、dividual,regardlessoftheirlocation,canaccessthebenefitsofwell-plannedandsustainableinfrastructure.ThefivepillarsoftheBRIresonateprofoundlywiththeprinciplesunderlyingtheGlobalGoals.AsSecretary-GeneralAntnioGuterresaptlyremarkedduringthesecondBeltandRoadForum:“The

10、worldwillbenefitfromaBeltandRoadInitiativethataccelerateseffortstoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.”However,theprocessofachievingthisconvergenceisnotautomatic.Itrequiresdeliberateefforts,cross-sectoralcollaborationsandadeepunderstandingofthesocio-economicand

11、environmentallandscapeoftheregionsinvolved.Theprivatesector,especiallybusinessesparticipatingintheBRI,playsapivotalroleinthiswork.Ofcourse,theprivatesectoralsohasacriticalroletoplayinofferingdecentworkopportunities,whilerespectingtheenvironmentwhendrivingecono

12、micgrowth.Theprivatesectorsabilitytoinnovate,driveeconomicgrowthandharnessresourcescanbethecatalysttoensurethatinfrastructureprojectsandthejobstheycreatenotonlyserveimmediateneedsbutalsopavethewayforlong-termsustainabledevelopment.Thisreportservesasabeacon

13、forbusinessesinthisendeavor.BysheddinglightontheintricaterelationshipbetweentheBRIandtheSDGs,itofferspracticaltoolsandinsightsforcompaniestoensurethattheirprojectsalignwithglobalsustainabilitytrends,especiallytheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact.Iampleased

14、toseetheMaximizingImpacttowardstheSDGs:GuidanceandAssessmentToolforCompaniestoAdvanceSustainableInfrastructureundertheBeltandRoadInitiativepresentedinthisreport.Theemphasisonaholisticunderstandingofinfrastructureanditsimplicationsforeconomic,environmental,socia

15、landgovernancedimensionsistimelyandinvaluable.Thistoolnotonlyhelpsbusinessesidentifypotentialchallengesbutalsosteersthemtowardscreatingmaximumpositiveimpactwhileminimizingnegativefootprints.Aswemoveforward,letusrememberthatwhilethechallengesofsustainableinfras

16、tructuredevelopmentaresignificant,theyarenotinsurmountable.Thecollectivewill,sharedvisionandunwaveringcommitmentofallstakeholderscanmakeadifference.IwouldliketoextendourgratitudetotheUnitedNationsPeaceandDevelopmentFund(UNPDF)foritssupportandcommitmenttothispi

17、votalinitiative.UNPDFscontributionhasprovidedtheessentialresourcestocompletethisproject,andexemplifiestheessenceofglobalcollaborationforsustainableprogress.Lastly,myheartfeltappreciationgoestothemanyUNagencies,thinktanks,organizationsanddedicatedindividualswhohavec

18、ontributedtothismonumentalwork.Thepathtoasustainablefutureisasharedjourney,andIaminspiredbythecollectivecommitmentshownbyall.Letusembarkonthisjourneytogether,confidentinourcommongoals,tocreateaworldwhereeveryinfrastructureprojectcanbecomeacornerstonetowar

19、dssustainableandinclusivedevelopment.SandaOjiamboAssistantSecretary-General&CEOUnitedNationsGlobalCompactExecutiveSummary.1Introduction.6Chapter1SDGsandtheBRI.81.1AGlobalCompactforSustainableDevelopment.81.2InfrastructureDemandsandConstructioninDevelopingCountries101.

20、3LinksbetweentheBRIandtheSDGs.13Chapter2BRIPracticesandImplementationChallenges.182.1PolicyPractices.182.2BusinessPractices.202.3ImplementationChallenges.24Chapter3UnderstandingSustainableInfrastructurefromMulti-StakeholderPerspectives.263.1ESGAppliedinSustainableI

21、nfrastructure.263.2BusinessSurveyandConsultation.283.3ConsensusandDilemmas.39Chapter4SustainableInfrastructureforCompaniesParticipatingintheBRI:AnSDGGuide.424.1RecommendationsforCompaniesParticipatingintheBRI.424.2SDGGuideforSustainableInfrastructure.43Chapter5SDG

22、ImpactAssessmentforPrivateSectorPlayersinBRIInfrastructureProjects.565.1SDGImpactAssessmentTool.565.2IllustrativeCases.62Chapter6Conclusion.66References.68Appendix:Appendix:SurveysQuestionnaireandData.72CONTENTSBeltandRoadInitiative(BRI)BeltandRoadInitiativeInternationa

23、lGreenDevelopmentCoalition(BRIGC)Build-Operate-Transfer(BOT)ChinaDevelopmentBank(CDB)ChinaInternationalContractorsAssociation(CHINCA)ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor(CPEC)ChinaThreeGorgesSouthAsiaInvestmentLtd(CSAIL)CorporateSocialResponsibility(CSR)Economic,Environmental,Social,andG

24、overnance(EESG)EngineeringProcurementConstruction(EPC)EnvironmentalandSocial(E&S)Environmental,Social,andGovernance(ESG)EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(EBRD)GreenInvestmentPrinciplesforBeltandRoad(GIP)Greenhousegas(GHG)Health,SafetyandEnvironment(HSE)IndustrialandCom

25、mercialBankofChina(ICBC)InternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)InternationalPlatformonSustainableFinance(IPSF)MemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)MinistryofEcologyandEnvironmentofthePeoplesRepublicofChina(MEE)MinistryofForeignAffairsofthePeoplesRepublicofChina(MFA)MultilateralD

26、evelopmentBanks(MDBs)NetworkofCentralBanksandSupervisorsforGreeningtheFinancialSystem(NGFS)OrganizationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment(OECD)Public-PrivatePartnership(PPP)QualityInfrastructureInvestment(QII)StateCouncilInformationOfficeofthePeoplesRepublicofChina(SCI

27、O)State-OwnedEnterprises(SOEs)SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairs(UNDESA)UnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacific(UNESCAP)UnitedNationsGlobalCompact(UNGC)WorldTradeOrganization(WTO)ABBREVIATIONSANDACRONYMSF

28、igure1.1SDGsandtheTenPrinciples.9Figure3.1Companiesparticipatinginthesurvey.28Figure3.2Challengesratedbythecompanies.29Figure3.3UnderstandingoftheSDGsandtheirrelevancetoinfrastructureprojects.30Figure3.4Internationalsustainabilitystandardsandguidelinesthatgainth

29、emostattention.31Figure3.5MainreferenceofESGframeworksforoverseasinfrastructureprojects.32Figure3.6ExistenceofdedicateddepartmentsorpersonnelforimplementingtheESGpolicy.33Figure3.7PerceivedPositiveimpactsofadoptingvoluntaryESGguidelines.34Figure3.8PerceivedNegativ

30、eimpactsofadoptingvoluntaryESGguidelines.35Figure3.9PerceivedCapacity-buildingprioritiesforwideradoptionofESGguidelines.36FIGURESTable3.1ESGPoliciesofmajordevelopmentbanks.27Table4.1LinksbetweenSDG1andsustainableinfrastructure.43Table4.2LinksbetweenSDG9andsustai

31、nableinfrastructure.46TABLESX1EXECUTIVESUMMARYTheBeltandRoadInitiative(BRI)referstotheinitiativeofjointlybuildingtheSilkRoadEconomicBeltandthe21stCenturyMaritimeSilkRoad,launchedbytheGovernmentofChinain2013.TheBRIhasidentifiedfivepriorityareasforinternationalc

32、ooperation:policycoordination,facilitiesconnectivity,unimpededtrade,financialintegration,andpeople-to-peoplebonds.InitiatedbytheChineseGovernment,ithasbeenwarmlyreceivedbymanycountries.Bytheendof2022,itcoveredmorethan150countriesandregionsthatsignedMemorandumsofUnder

33、standings(MOUs)withtheChineseGovernment(UNDESA,2022).Since2015,theChinesegovernmentandtheUNsystemhaveadvocatedbuildingandstrengtheningsynergybetweentheBRIandtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).Sustainableinfrastructureisakeyconcretepillartoachievethesynergybetween

34、theBRIandtheSDGs,intendingtoimprovetheconnectivityofinfrastructuredevelopmentplansamongcountriesalongtheBRI,formingregionalinfrastructurenetworks,andpromotinggreenandlow-carboninfrastructureconstructionbytakingintofullaccounttheimpactofclimatechange.Overthelast

35、10years,infrastructuredevelopmentinenergy,transportation,andutilitieshasbecomethelargestsectorofBRIinvestmentanddefactoacentralpillaroftheinitiative.Theinitiativefocusesonpromotingdevelopment.Therefore,itisnaturalthatinfrastructureishighlightedasthefoundationfor

36、industrialdevelopmentandimprovingpeopleslivelihoods.ThefivepriorityareasoftheBRIarecloselylinkedtothe17SDGs.TheBRIanditsinfrastructureinvestmentscontributetoachievingmanyoftheSDGs,includingSDG9(industry,innovation,andinfrastructure),SDG6(cleanwaterandsanitation)

37、,SDG7(affordableandcleanenergy),SDG13(climateaction),SDG14(lifebelowwater),andSDG15(lifeonland).InhisremarksattheSecondBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationin2019,UNSecretary-GeneralAntnioGuterresemphasizedthatthefivepillarsofBRI“areintrinsicallylinkedto

38、the17SustainableDevelopmentGoals”and“TheworldwillbenefitfromaBeltandRoadInitiativethataccelerateseffortstoachievetheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.”(MFA,2019)Allstakeholders,includinggovernments,businesses,andcivilsocieties,mustbeinvolvedtoachievethesynergybetweenthe

39、BRIandtheSDGs.OneoftheconnectionsinvolvingbusinessesisthroughtheUN12GlobalCompact.DuringtheSecondBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationin2019,morethan35HeadsofStateissuedajointcommuniqueto“callonallmarketplayersintheBeltandRoadcooperationtofulfill

40、theircorporatesocialresponsibilityandfollowtheprinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact.”(MFA,2019)ThisstatementreflectsanendorsementoftheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompactasaninternationalnormtoadvancecorporatesustainabilityundertheBRIframework.TheUNGlobalCompactasksco

41、mpaniestodobusinessresponsiblyandpursueopportunitiestosolvesocietalchallengesthroughbusinessinnovationandcollaboration.Italsostressesthatgoodpracticesinoneareadonotoffsetharminanother.Inthepastdecade,manyBRIinfrastructureprojectsintheenergy,transportation,andI

42、CTsectorshavebeenconstructedandimplementedtoaddressinfrastructurebottlenecksindevelopingcountries.Globalenergyaccessibilityhasimprovedsignificantlyoverthepastdecade.Thepenetrationraterosefrom84%in2010to91%in2021.However,atotalof675millionpeoplearoundtheworldst

43、illhavenoaccesstoelectricity,andenergyaccessibilityisfallingbehindonSDG7(IEAetall,2023).ITUdataconfirmsthattheabilitytoconnectremainsprofoundlyunequalworldwide.Evenin2021,anestimated37percentoftheworldspopulationor2.9billionpeoplehaveneverusedtheInternet.(I

44、TU,2021).Inthefaceofthesechallenges,TheChineseGovernmenthasformulatedvarioussustainableinfrastructuredevelopmentpoliciesandregulatoryframeworkswhilestrengtheningtechnicalsupportandcapacitybuilding.Effortshavebeenmadetoleveragegreenfinanceinpromotingsustainableinfra

45、structurebysettingprojectapprovalandfinancingterms.TheawarenessandwillofChinesecompaniestobuildupthecapacitytorespondtogovernmentpolicyguidanceandbettermanageoverseasriskshasbeenincreasingrapidly.ItisimportanttoobserveChinesecompaniestransitionfromcontractor

46、stoinvestorsintheirbusinessmodelsforBRIprojects.SomeChinesecompanieshavetakentheleadinaligningthemselveswithhighinternationalstandardstoattractinternationalfunding.Nevertheless,thechallengesinheritedininfrastructureprojectsremain:TheBRIprojectshavebeenmainlyconc

47、entratedintheenergyandtransportindustries,whichareneededbuthavehigherrisks.Large-scaleinfrastructureconstructionrisksnegativeenvironmentalimpactssuchasgreenhousegasemissionsand23biodiversityloss.Bankableprojectsarelimited.Financialsustainabilityisfacingchallenges,par

48、ticularlywiththeimpactsoftheCOVIDpandemicondevelopingcountryeconomiesoverthelastthreeyears.Inthiscontext,itisimportanttounderstandtheperspectives,puzzles,andconstraintsofcompaniesparticipatinginBRIinfrastructureprojects.Forthispurpose,acomprehensivesurveyhasbeen

49、conductedwithaquestionnairecoveringcross-sectoralquestionsineightaspects.MajorChinesecompaniesundertakingBRIprojectshavebeeninvolvedwiththeassistanceoftheChinaInternationalContractorsAssociation(CHINCA).Fiftyvalidquestionnaireshavebeenreceivedfrom45State-Ownedente

50、rprisesandfiveprivatecompanies.Theyaremainlyconcentratedinfivedifferentsectors:34percentintheEnergysector,32percentintheUrbanInfrastructuresector,16percentintheTransportationsector,12percentintheICTsector,and6percentintheWaterandWastewatersector.Thesurve

51、yrevealseightkeyperspectives:1)Thebiggestchallengescompaniesfacearethesocialaspectsandpeople-relatedactivitiesingovernance.2)MostcompaniesbelieveSDGsarerelevanttoinfrastructureprojectsandwelcomeSDGguidesandtools.3)Manycompanieshavepaidattentiontointernati

52、onalstandards,includingtheUNGCTenPrinciples.4)MostcompanieshaveanESGframeworkforoverseasinfrastructureprojects.5)MostcompanieshaveadepartmentorpositiondedicatedtoESGimplementation.6)Companiesperceivebetterlocalcommunicationandaccesstofinance,corporatedecision-making,

53、andprojectplanningasthepositiveimpactsofadoptinganSDG-relatedESGframework.7)PossiblecostincreaseisthebiggestconcernforcompaniesadoptingvoluntaryESGguidelines.8)Mostcompaniesbelievethatmanagementawarenessisatthetopofthelistofcapacity-buildingprioritiesiftheya

54、doptanSDGguideinpractice.ConsideringtheperspectivesandneedsofcompaniesparticipatinginBRI,thisreportdevelopsanSDGGuideandrelatedImpactAssessmentTooltoprovidepracticalandoperationalguidanceforprivatesectorplayerstodeliversustainableinfrastructureonavoluntaryan

55、dnon-bindingbasis.TheSDGGuideHasFivePrinciples:Principle1:UnderstandInfrastructureandSDGsLinkagesinaHolisticandIn-DepthWayThisprinciplecaterstotheneedsofcompaniesthatareraisingtheunderstandingandawarenessofthemanagementteamaboutSDGs.Themanagementteamneedsto

56、understandhowinfrastructurerelatestothe17Goalsandwhichofthe169indicatorsunder34thesegoalsrelatemostdirectlytotheinfrastructureissue.Principle2:OptimizingthePositiveImpactofInfrastructuretoAchieveEconomicGrowthandSustainableDevelopmentFinancialsustainabilityLoca

57、lindustrialdevelopmentLocaleconomicdevelopmentPrinciple3:IntegratingEnvironmentalSustainabilitytoInfrastructureDevelopmentGHGemissionsreductionPollutionreductionEnergyconservationandcleanenergyBiodiversityandecosystemprotectionPrinciple4:IntegratingSocialSustainabilitywi

58、thInfrastructureDevelopmentLocalemploymentandlaborprotectionCommunitydevelopmentStakeholderengagementWomenandvulnerablegroupsempowermentPrinciple5:IntegratingGovernanceConsiderationswithInfrastructureDevelopmentLocalcommunicationandaccountabilityInformationdisclosureAnti

59、-corruptionGrievancemechanismTheImpactAssessmentTooltranslatestheGuideintoalearningtoolforcompaniesparticipatingintheBRItoself-assesshowtheirinfrastructuredevelopmentactivitiesaffecttheSDGsandTenPrinciples.Itaimstostimulatecompaniestounderstandbetterthecomplex

60、ityofsustainableinfrastructureandthedifferentaspectsoftheSDGsandTenPrinciplessothatcompaniesbecomebetterequippedtoprioritizeactionsahead.TheToolhasbeendevelopedtofocusontheEconomic,Environmental,Social,andGovernance(EESG)issuesofsustainableinfrastructure.Inclose

61、alignmentwiththeSDGs,UNGCTenPrinciples,andG20PrinciplesforQualityInfrastructureInvestment(QII),theToolisaframeworkthatincludes:ThreeSteps+EESGIndicatorsStep1:UnderstandtheEESGContextStep2:CharttheSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesStep3:AssessYourImpactDirectpositiveimpactI

62、ndirectpositiveimpactDirectnegativeimpactIndirectnegativeimpactUnclear/NoimpactThisReportseekstoraiseawarenessandenhancethecapacityofcompaniesthrough(1)identifyingandhighlightingkeycommon45guidingprinciplestowardssustainableinfrastructurethatcompaniescantailortot

63、heirindividualneeds;(2)informingbusinessdecision-makingonthedesign,building,operation,andmaintenanceofinfrastructureprojects,aswellasonthemonitoringandevaluationofsustainableinfrastructureduringtheprojectlife-cycle;and(3)equippingmorecompanieswitheffectivetoolstomeasu

64、retheirprojectsimpactontheSDGsandthesustainabilityoftheprojectsinthelongrun.56TheBRIpromoteswin-wincooperationforshareddevelopmentandprosperity,peace,andfriendshipthroughenhancingmutualunderstanding,trust,andexchanges.Theinitiativeadvocatespeaceandcooperation,open

65、nessandinclusiveness,mutuallearning,andmutualbenefit.Itpromotescollaborationinallfieldsandworkstobuildacommunityofsharedinterests,destiny,andresponsibility,featuringmutualtrust,economicintegration,andculturalinclusiveness.Consideringitsscaleandscope,theBRIhassignifica

66、ntpotentialtofurtherSDGimplementation.DuringtheSecondBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationinApril2019,morethan35HeadsofStateissuedajointcommuniqueto“callonallmarketplayersintheBeltandRoadcooperationtofulfilltheircorporatesocialresponsibilityandfollo

67、wtheprinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact”(MFA,2019).ThisstatementreflectsanendorsementoftheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompactasaninternationalnormtoadvancecorporatesustainabilityundertheBRIframework.SustainableinfrastructurehasbeenrecognizedasoneoftheBRIskeypriori

68、ties.Inhiskeynotespeechattheaboveforum,ChinesePresidentXiJinpingpledgedtobuild“high-quality,sustainable,INTRODUCTIONrisk-resistant,reasonablypriced,andinclusiveinfrastructure”(MFA,2019).Globaltransformationandrecoveryneedinclusive,sustainablegrowththatupliftslocalcommunitie

69、s,respondstotheneedsofall,bringswomenintotomorrowseconomy,andiscompatiblewiththeParisAgreementonclimatechangeandtheSDGs.TheBRIssustainableinfrastructureiscrucialforfurtherrealizingtheSDGsandachievingtheglobalvisionforpeople,theplanet,andprosperity.Theguideel

70、aboratesontheBRIasanopportunityforSDGimplementation,focusingonitssynergieswithsustainablerecoveryandtheUNGlobalCompact.ItsetsoutanoverviewofthebroadlandscapeoftheBRIsinfrastructuredevelopment.ItsituatestheSDGGuideconcerningcompaniesparticipatingintheBRIas

71、awayforwardforbuildingsustainableinfrastructure.ItfirstreviewsmajortrendsofSDGimplementationdevelopments,includingpolicyguidelines,regulatoryframeworks,andtechnicalstandardstowardssustainableinfrastructureintheBRI.TheGuidethendrawsonextensivebusinesssurveys,multi-stak

72、eholderengagement,andexpertconsultationtopresentadynamicandnuancedpictureofthedemands,supplies,progress,challenges,67anddilemmasfromtheperspectivesofbusinessesandotherkeystakeholders.CompaniesparticipatingintheBRIneedtotakecomprehensivemeasuresandmakeeffortsinmul

73、tipleaspectstopromotethehigh-qualitydevelopmentoftheBRI.Thekeystakeholders,includingtheChineseGovernment,Chinesecompanies,hostcountryactors,andinternationalinstitutions,shouldworkmorecohesivelytoachievesustainableinfrastructuredevelopment.TheReportdevelopsanSDGguidea

74、ndimpactassessmenttoolforcommon,holistic,cross-sectorprinciplestowardssustainableinfrastructureundertheBRIframework.781.1AGlobalCompactforSustainableDevelopmentInSeptember2015,all193MemberStatesoftheUnitedNationsadoptedaplanforachievingabetterfutureforall,laying

75、outapathoverthenext15yearstoendextremepoverty,fightinequalityandinjustice,andprotectourplanet(UNGC,2016).AttheheartofAgenda2030arethe17SDGs,whichclearlydefinetheworldwewant,applyingtoallnationsandleavingnoonebehind.TheGlobalGoalsresultfromaprocessthat

76、hasbeenmoreinclusivethanever,withGovernmentsinvolvingbusinesses,civilsocieties,andcitizensfromtheoutset.Weareallinagreementonwheretheworldneedstogo.Fulfillingtheseambitionswilltakeanunprecedentedeffortbyallsocietalsectors,andbusinesseshaveasignificantroleint

77、heprocess.ThereisagrowingunderstandingespeciallybybusinessleadersandinvestorsaheadofthecurvethatitisnotenoughforcompaniestoconcernthemselvesonlyCHAPTER1SDGSANDTHEBRIwithshort-termprofitsbecauseclimatechange,naturaldisasters,socialunrest,oreconomicdisparityca

78、ndamagelong-termprosperity.Thebusinessesthatunderstandthischallengeandtakeactionwillbeastepahead.ResponsiblebusinessandinvestmentrootedinuniversalconsensuswillbeessentialtoachievingtransformationalchangethroughtheSDGs.WecannotachievetheambitionoftheSDGswithou

79、tbusinessleadership.Forcompanies,successfulimplementationwillstrengthentheenablingenvironmentfordoingbusinessandbuildingmarketsworldwide.89Figure1.1SDGsandtheTenPrinciples910Nomatterhowlargeorsmall,andregardlessoftheirindustry,allcompaniescancontributetotheSDGs.W

80、hilethescaleandscopeoftheglobalgoalsareunprecedented,thefundamentalwaysthatbusinesscancontributeremainunchanged.TheUNGlobalCompactaskscompaniestodobusinessresponsiblyandpursueopportunitiestosolvesocietalchallengesthroughbusinessinnovationandcollaboration.Corpor

81、atesustainabilitystartswithacompanysvaluesystemandaprinciples-basedapproachtodoingbusiness.Thismeansoperatinginwaysthat,ataminimum,meetfundamentalresponsibilitiesintheareasofenvironment,humanrights,labor,andanti-corruption.Responsiblebusinessesenactthesamevaluesan

82、dprincipleswherevertheyhaveapresenceandknowthatgoodpracticesinoneareadonotoffsetharminanother.ByincorporatingSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompactintostrategies,policies,andproceduresandestablishingacultureofintegrity,companiesareupholdingtheirbasic

83、responsibilitiestopeopleandtheplanetandsettingthestageforlong-termsuccess.1.2InfrastructureDemandsandConstructioninDevelopingCountriesIndustryandinnovationarekeydriversofeconomicgrowth,andinfrastructureisanecessaryfoundationforindustryandpeopleslives.Industrializ

84、ationcancreatejobsandliftcommunitiesoutofpoverty,butitneedstobemanagedcarefullytoavoidadditionalpressuresonpeopleontheplanet.Industrializationand,morebroadly,economicdevelopmentcruciallydependonqualityandreliableinfrastructure.Withoutit,communitiesandbusinessesw

85、ouldbedeniedaccesstomarkets,high-qualitygoodsandservices,andjobs.Globally,2.6billionpeopledonothaveaccesstoareliableelectricitysource,andmorethan4billiondonothaveInternetaccess.Indevelopingcountriesalone,thisrequiresa$1trilliongapinannualinvestmentspendingtha

86、tneedstobeaddressed(UNGC,2018).Asthesegapsarefilled,industryandinfrastructureassetsmustberesilienttosocial,economic,andenvironmentalchanges.Toachieveinclusiveandsustainableindustrializationanddeliverquality,resilientinfrastructure,technologicalandprocessinnovationsmust

87、bedevelopedanddeployedatscale.1011Meanwhile,actiononGoal9isstronglyinterconnectedwithmanyotherSDGs,mostnotablyGoal11onsustainablecitiesandcommunitiesandGoal12onresponsibleconsumptionandproduction.Effortstocreatenewopportunitiesforinnovationandemploymentindev

88、elopingcountriesdirectlyrelatetoGoal8.Infrastructure-dependentSDGs,includingthoserelatingtofood(Goal2),waterandsanitation(Goal6),energy(Goal7),andclimateaction(Goal13)willalsobenefitfromactiononGoal9.Leadingactionmustbemanagedsothatitdoesnotriskexacerbatingexist

89、inginequalitiesorcreatingnewonesanddoesnotcontributetocorruptionandviolationofhumanrightsthatwouldnegativelyimpactarangeofSDGs.Inparticular,thecoronaviruspandemichasrevealedtheurgentneedforresilientinfrastructure.TheUnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCommissionfor

90、AsiaandthePacific(UNESCAP)intheEconomicandSocialSurveyofAsiaandthePacificnotesthatcriticalinfrastructureintheregionremainsfarfromadequateinmanycountries,despitetherapideconomicgrowthanddevelopmenttheregionhasexperiencedoverthepastdecade(UNESCAP,2019).TheSur

91、veyhighlightsthatmakinginfrastructureresilienttodisastersandclimatechangewillrequireanadditionalinvestmentof$434billionUSDannually(ibid.).Thissummayneedtobeevengreaterinsomesub-regions,suchasthePacificSmallIslandDevelopingStates.111212131.3LinksbetweentheBRIan

92、dtheSDGsTheBRIincludesavisionforstrengtheneddevelopmentcooperationthroughfivepillars:policycoordination,facilitiesconnectivity,unimpededtrade,financialintegration,andpeople-to-peoplebondsbetweenChinaandothercountries.InhisremarksattheSecondBeltandRoadForumforIntern

93、ationalCooperationin2019,UNSecretary-GeneralAntnioGuterresemphasizedthatthefivepillarsoftheBRI“areintrinsicallylinkedtothe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals”andthat“theworldwillbenefitfromaBeltandRoadInitiativethataccelerateseffortstoachievetheSustainableDevelopmen

94、tGoals”(MFA,2019).Ithasbeenestimatedthattheinitiativehasthepotentialtoconnectcountriesaccountingformorethan60percentoftheglobalpopulation,30percentofglobalGDP,40percentofinternationaltrade,andmorethan50percentofpeoplelivingundertheextremepovertyline(Beltan

95、dRoadPortal,2019).First,theBRIandtheSDGshaveasharedvisionandprinciples.WhiletheBRIandthe2030Agendadifferinnatureandscope,theyshareasimilarvisionandsomebasicprinciplesinmanyrespects.The2030AgendadeclaresthatitisguidedbythepurposesandprinciplesoftheChar

96、teroftheUnitedNations,whiletheVisionandActionontheBRIStatesthattheinitiativeconformswiththepurposesandprinciplesoftheUNCharter(UNDESA,2022).The2030Agendaresolvestocreateconditionsforsustainable,inclusive,andsustainedeconomicgrowth,sharedprosperity,anddecentwork

97、forall,consideringdifferentlevelsofnationaldevelopmentandcapacities.TheBRIstressestheneedtobeharmoniousandinclusive,advocatestoleranceamongcivilizations,andrespectsdifferentcountriespathsandmodesofdevelopment.Itsupportsdialoguesamongdifferentcivilizationsonthepri

98、nciplesofseekingcommongroundwhileshelvingdifferencesanddrawingoneachothersstrengthssothatallcountriescancoexistpeacefullyforcommonprosperity.The2030AgendareaffirmsthateveryStatehas,andshallfreelyexercise,fullpermanentsovereigntyoverallitswealth,naturalresource

99、s,andeconomicactivity.Italsoreiteratesthecommitmenttointernationallaw.ItemphasizesthattheagendaisimplementedconsistentlywiththeStatesrightsandobligationsunderinternationallaw.Incomparison,theBRIupholdstheFivePrinciplesofPeacefulCoexistence:Mutualrespectforeachot

100、herssovereigntyandterritorialintegrity,mutualnonaggression,mutualnoninterferenceineachothersinternalaffairs,equalityandmutualbenefit,andpeacefulcoexistence.1314Second,theBRIandtheSDGshavesimilarpriorityareas.TheBRIandthe2030Agendaemphasizepolicycoordination,including

101、buildingamultilevelintergovernmentalmacropolicyexchangeandcommunicationmechanism,coordinatingeconomicdevelopmentstrategiesandpolicies,workingoutplansandmeasuresforregionalcooperation,andprovidingjointpolicysupportforimplementingpracticalcooperationandlarge-scaleprojec

102、ts.Meanwhile,the2030AgendaandtheBRIshareasimilarvisionofimprovinginfrastructureandfightingpoverty.TheotherprioritiesoftheBRIincludeunimpededtrade,financialintegration,andpeople-to-peoplebonds.Unimpededtradeincludesimprovinginvestmentandtradefacilitation,removinginve

103、stmentandtradebarriers,implementingtheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)TradeFacilitationAgreement,andexpandingmutualinvestmentinagriculture,energy,informationtechnology,biotechnology,andotheremergingindustries.Financialintegrationalsoincludesstrengtheningfinancialregulationcoopera

104、tionandcoordination,improvingmechanismsofaddressingcross-borderrisksandcrises,andencouragingcommercialequityinvestmentfundsandprivatefundstoparticipateintheconstructionofkeyprojectsundertheBRI.People-to-peoplebondincludespromotingculturalandacademicexchanges,person

105、nelexchanges,mediacooperation,youthandwomenexchanges,andvolunteerservices;expandingtourism;sharingepidemicinformationandexchangingofpreventionandtreatmenttechnologies;increasingcollaborationinscienceandtechnologybyestablishingjointlabs,internationaltechnologytransfercent

106、ers,andadvancingcooperationonyouthemployment,entrepreneurshiptraining,vocationalskilldevelopment,socialsecuritymanagement,andpublicadministrationandmanagement.Third,theBRIandthe2030Agendapromoteinfrastructureconnectivityandpartnership.The2030Agendaattachesgreatimportance

107、tothecoordinateddevelopmentofcross-cuttingissuesandtheconnectivitydevelopmentofdifferentregions.The2030Agendaexplicitlyidentifiesthepromotionofregionaleconomicintegrationandconnectivityasakeyinitiativethatprovidescapacity-buildingsupporttoAfricancountries,least-d

108、evelopedcountries,landlockeddevelopingcountries,smallislanddevelopingstates,andmiddle-incomecountries,emphasizing“BRIisahighlyvaluablevehicleforacceleratingimplementationofthe2030Agenda,andithasproveneffectiveinbridgingseveralgapsinimplementation.Itisuptoallstakeho

109、ldersintheBRIandtheSDGstomakefulluseofthatvehicleandgeneratemomentumforachievingtheSDGsby2030”(UNDESA,2022).141515161617theneedforsustainabletransportsystemsandhigh-qualityandresilientinfrastructure.TheBRIiscommittedtotheinterconnectionoftheAsian,European,and

110、Africancontinentsandnearbyseas,establishesandstrengthenstheconnectivitypartnershipofcountriesalongtheroute,andbuildsanall-round,multi-level,andcompositeconnectivitynetwork.Atthesametime,withthehelpofaseriesofconnectivityprojects,itpromotesthedockingandcouplingof

111、thedevelopmentstrategiesofcountriesalongtheroute,exploresthepotentialoftheregionalmarket,promotesinvestmentandconsumption,createsdemandandemployment,enhancespeople-to-peopleexchangesandmutuallearningamongthepeoplesofthecountriesalongtheroute,andallowspeopleofall

112、nationstomeetandknoweachother,trustandrespecteachother,andshareharmonyandapeaceful,prosperouslife.Infrastructureconnectivity,trade,andinvestmentfacilitationarecoreelementsoftheBRIandpolicytoolsforachievingtheSDGs.Bypromotinginfrastructureconnectivity,trade,andinv

113、estment,barrierstotheflowofcapital,technology,andtalentcanbebroken,andthegloballyunifiedmarketplatformcanbeimproved.Furthermore,anewopenworldeconomysystemcanbeestablishedtoachieveshareddevelopment.Connectivityfordevelopmentcanbearguedtobeafundamentalvaluepromo

114、tedbytheBRIandthe2030Agenda.EachoftheBRIsfivepriorityareascanfinditsdirectorindirectlinktoachievingthe17SDGs.However,fortheBRItofulfillitspotentialasapositivecontributortoachievingthe2030Agenda,itisimportantforitseffortstobemanagedwell.TheBRIinfrast

115、ructureinvestmentsmustproduceeconomicgrowthandgenerateinclusiveandsustainablesocialandeconomicdevelopment,therebyactingasadrivingforceforachievingtheSDGs,withtheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompactasanimportantnormforbusinessoperation.Partnernationsshouldthoroug

116、hlyevaluatetheBRIspossibleeffectstoexploititsopportunities.ItisimportanttounderstandthecurrentpolicywithbusinesspracticesandimplementationchallengestoexploreanddevelopintegratedpoliciestooptimizetheBRIsimpactswhilemanagingpotentialrisks,towhichwenowturn.1718C

117、HAPTER2BRIPRACTICESANDIMPLEMENTATIONCHALLENGES2.1PolicyPracticesFromthebeginning,theChineseGovernmenthasemphasizedtheimportanceofgreendevelopmentintheBRIandtheneedtoimprovetheecologicalandenvironmentalprotectioncapacityofcountriesandregionsalongtheroute.Overt

118、heyears,agreenerBRIhasbeenemerging.Forexample,attheAsiaandPacificHigh-levelConferenceonBeltandRoadCooperationonJune23,2021,Chinaand28othercountriesjointlylaunchedtheInitiativeforBeltandRoadPartnershiponGreenDevelopment(MFA,2021).Amongotherobjectives,theInitiat

119、ivecallsforinternationallycollaborativeeffortstoachievegreenandsustainablerecoveryandfosterlow-carbon,resilient,andinclusivepost-pandemicgrowth.IttakesnoteoftheprogressmadebyrelevantBeltandRoadcooperationpartners,voluntarily,inbuildingaGreenSilkRoad,includingthed

120、evelopmentoftheBeltandRoadInitiativeInternationalGreenDevelopmentCoalition(BRIGC)since2019andtheformulationoftheGreenInvestmentPrinciplesforBeltandRoad(GIP)(Zhou,2021).BRIcountrieshaveestablishedvarioussustainableinfrastructuredevelopmentpoliciesandregulatoryframewo

121、rkswhilestrengtheningtechnicalsupportandcapacitybuilding.First,greenandenvironmentalprotectionelementswereinitiallyincorporatedintotheoverallBRIpolicyframework,asreflectedintheVisionandActiononJointlyBuildingSilkRoadEconomicBeltand21stCenturyMaritimeSilkRoadis

122、suedbytheChineseGovernmentinMarch2015(Jiang,2019).Second,specificpolicyframeworksforcooperationwereformulated,suchastheBeltandRoadEcologicalandEnvironmentalCooperationPlanandtheGuidanceonPromotingGreenBeltandRoad,bytheMinistryofEcologyandEnvironmentofthePeopl

123、esRepublicofChina(MEE),bothofwhichemphasizethegreendevelopmentphilosophy,supportforlow-carbondevelopment,biodiversityprotection,climatechange,andactiveparticipationinglobalenvironmentalgovernance(MEE,2017a,2017b).Third,normativedocuments,suchastheCodeofConductforOverseas

124、Investmentand1819OperationofPrivateEnterprises,werepublishedtoguideandsuperviseChineseoutboundinvestments.TheGuidelinesforOutboundInvestmentandCooperationinGreenDevelopmentcallforcompliancewithhostcountrieslawsandregulations,underlinetheneedtoconductenvironmental

125、impactassessmentsandguardagainstecologicalandenvironmentalrisks(ChinaDaily,2021).Inanti-corruptiontheChineseGovernmenthastakenanti-corruptioncooperationintheBRIasanimportantpartofitsinternationalanti-corruptioncooperation,issuingtheBeijingAnti-CorruptionDeclaration

126、andemphasizingtheimportanceofbuildingclean,modernSilkRoads(ChinaDaily,2019).Meanwhile,accordingtotheStateCouncilInformationOfficeofthePeoplesRepublicofChina(SCIO),theGreenSilkRoadEnvoyProgram,designedtoenhancetheenvironmentalgovernancecapacityofpartnercountries,has

127、providedtrainingopportunitiestomorethan2,000environmentalofficials,scholarsandtechniciansfromover120countries(SCIO,2021a).TheBeltandRoadSouth-SouthCooperationInitiativeonClimateChangeaimstohelppartnercountrieswithclimatemitigation,adaptation,andenergytransition(SCIO

128、,2021b).Ithasimplementedlow-carbondemonstrationzonesandcapacity-buildingprogramsinSeychelles,Cambodia,andLaosbasedonthestatusquoandneedsofpartnercountriesingreendevelopment.TheBRIEnvironmentalBigDataPlatformwasbuilttofacilitateenvironmentalinformationsharing,impro

129、veenvironmentalservices,andimprovedecision-making.Sofar,theplatformhaspooledcountry-specificbasicdata,regulationsandstandards,environmentalpolicies,technologiesandindustries,andcasestudiesfrommorethan30countries.Itsdatacenterprovidesaccess1920tomorethan200indicatorsa

130、ndstatisticsfrom30authoritativepublicplatformsfrommorethan190countriesandregions(Zhou,2021).Effortshavebeenmadetoleveragegreenfinanceinpromotingsustainableinfrastructurebysettingprojectapprovalandfinancingterms.Thefinancialsectorcanbekeyindeliveringsustainable

131、infrastructurebyrequiringbestpracticesininfrastructureplanning,design,construction,andoperation.Overthepastdecade,Chinesefinancialregulatorshaveadoptedvariousstandardsregardinggreenfinance.Thegrowingregulatoryframeworksrefertointernationalstandards.Toimproveregulatoryme

132、chanismsforenhancedimplementation,inAugust2016,thePeoplesBankofChinaandsixotherministriesjointlyissuedtheGuidelinesonBuildingaGreenFinanceSystemtoenhanceinstitutionalinnovationintheadministrationofenvironmentalandsocialfactorsinimplementingtheBRIandotherover

133、seasinvestmentprojects(Jiang,2019).Moreenvironmentalinformationdisclosureisalsorequired.Forexample,thefinancialcreditinformationdatabaseshouldincludeenvironmentalinformationonbusinesses,includingenvironmentalinfractions.Furthermore,severalinternationalcooperationframeworksfo

134、rgreenfinancearealsohighlyrelevanttosustainableinfrastructureandtheBRI.BeijingjointlylaunchedtheNetworkofCentralBanksandSupervisorsforGreeningtheFinancialSystem(NGFS)topromotegreenfinancecooperationbetweencentralbanksandsupervisors,aswellastheInternationalPlat

135、formonSustainableFinance(IPSF)topromotetheconvergenceofinternationalgreenfinancestandardsandmobilizeprivatefundingforenvironmentallysustainableinvestment.2.2BusinessPracticesAccordingtoastudyundertakenbyJiang(2019),theawarenessandwillofChinesecompaniestobuildupth

136、ecapacitytorespondtogovernmentpolicyguidanceandbettermanageoverseasriskshasbeenincreasingrapidly.ContractorsareagroupofimportantplayersintheBRIinfrastructureprojects.From2013to2018,theturnoverofcontractedprojectsconductedbyChinesefirmsreached$400billionUSD(Be

137、ltandRoadPortal,2019).TheChinaInternationalContractorsAssociation(CHINCA)isanationalorganizationformedin1988byChineseinternationalprojectinvestors,contractors,laborservicecompanies,andrelatedserviceproviders,withover1,500membersoperatingin190countries(CHINCA,2019a,2019b

138、).Overthelastfewyears,CHINCAhasactivelystrengthenedindustryself-disciplineandcapacitybuilding,issuedindustryreportsandcomplianceguidance,andheldtrainingcourses.Forinstance,toenhancecompaniesawarenessandcapacitytoengageandcommunicatewith20212122localcommunities,CHINCA

139、releasedtheHandbookonCommunityEngagementforChineseContractorsinMay2018andhasbeenholdingtrainingprogramsonthistopic(CHINCA,2019).CHINCAhasalsobeenactivelycollaboratingwithmultilateraldevelopmentbanks(MDBs)tohostseminarssinceearly2018andpromotingjointfundingbetw

140、eenitsmembersandtheMDBs.ItisalsoimportanttoobservethetransitionofChinesecontractorsintheirbusinessmodelsforBRIprojects.CHINCAhasalsobeenpromotingthetransitionofcontractorstoinvestorsanddevelopers,changingfromtheEPC(EngineeringProcurementConstruction)modeltoth

141、eBOT(BuildOperateTransfer)model(CHINCA,2019).Generally,fortheBOTmodel,thehost-countrygovernmentwillspecifythequalityandquantityofutilityservicessuchaselectricityandensurethecompanysreturnwithanagreedpricingmechanism.FortheEPCmodel,thecontractorwilldelivertheprojec

142、tsdesign,procurement,andconstructionwithinafixedbudgetonthestandardsagreedwiththeowner.ThekeydifferencebetweenthetwoisthatcompaniescouldpursuehigherstandardsandinternalizetheincreasedcostswiththeBOTmodel,butwiththeEPCmodel,standardsarelimitedwithinthefixed

143、budget.ThisdifferenceplaysakeyroleintheeffortsofChinesecompaniestopursuehigherstandards.SomeChinesecompanieshavetakentheleadinaligningthemselveswithhighinternationalstandardstoattractinternationalfundingandpromotetheimageofinternationalbusinessoperations.TheC

144、hinaThreeGorgesSouthAsiaInvestmentLtd(CSAIL)isacompanyincorporatedbyamajorChineseState-Ownedenterprise,theThreeGorgesCorporation,theInternationalFinanceCorporationoftheWorldBankGroup(IFC),andtheSilkRoadFund.Withleadingtechnicalandengineeringcapacityinhydroandwi

145、ndpowerprojects,thecompanyiscommittedtohighinternationalenvironmentalandsocialstandardsforpowerprojectsundertheChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor(CPEC)umbrella.In2017,CSAILissueditsHealthSafetySocial2223andEnvironmentalManagementSystem(aninternaldocument),whichcombinedth

146、eIFC,Chinasenvironmentalandsocial(E&S)systems,andthehostcountry,Pakistan.With20frameworksandeightstandardoperatingprocedures,thesystemcoversmanysafeguardsforsafety,environment,society,andhealth.ThesestandardshavebeenimplementedinallCSAILpowerprojectsusingtheBOTmodel

147、untilnow.WiththecontinuedeffortsofCSAILtosecurecompliancebyallcontractors,theprojectsreceivedheftyconsiderationfromtheIFCandlocalcommunities,aslearnedinafieldstudy(Jiang,2019).SmallerChinesecompaniescouldalsobeencouragedtoadopthigherstandardswithfundingincent

148、ivesfrominternationalfinancialinstitutions.AccordingtoJiang(2019),in2017,theEuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(EBRD)gavealoantoaChineseprivatecompanyforthefirsttime,sendingpositivesignalstoChinesecompanieswillingtopursuehigherstandards.TheEBRDgavea$52mi

149、llionUSDloantoAngelYeastEgypt,whichisfullyownedbytheChinesefirmAngelYeast,tofinancetheconstructionofnewproductionfacilitiesandamodernwastewatertreatmentplantinanareaofIstanbulthathasahighlevelofpovertyandunemployment.Morethan200jobswillbecreated,while

150、300newandcurrentworkerswillreceivein-depthtechnicaltraining(Zgherib,2018).AngelYeastmetEBRDsE&Spolicyandperformancerequirements,2324andEBRDiswillingtogiveloanstootherChineseinvestorswhocanmeetthesehighstandards.2.3ImplementationChallengesCompaniesparticipatingin

151、theBRIarecentralindesigning,implementing,andoperatingsustainableinfrastructureprojects,ensuringjobcreation,respondingtoclimatechange,endingthepovertycycle,andbuildingmoreinclusivesocieties.SustainableinfrastructureactivitiesincludeincorporatingsustainablepracticesintoBRI

152、infrastructureprojectsfundinganddevelopmentstagesandpromotingthewell-beingandlong-termbenefitsofthosedirectlyassociatedwiththeseprojectsandthebroaderlocalcommunities.Differentstakeholdershavetriedtopromoteahigh-qualityBRIfeaturingopenness,greenness,andcleannessat

153、boththepolicyandpracticelevels.However,willcompaniesfollowthehigherEnvironmental,Social,andGovernance(ESG)standardsinagreeningBRIHowcanallstakeholders,includingtheChineseGovernment,hostcountryactors,andinternationalinstitutions,makegreeninvestmenthappenfasterAnswerst

154、othesequestionsareneededtoachievetheSDGswhileadvancingtheBRIasacontributiontoglobaldevelopment.Whilesoundinfrastructureisinevitablefordevelopment,large-scaleinfrastructureconstructionfaceschallengesofnegativeenvironmentalimpactssuchasgreenhousegasemissionsandbi

155、odiversityloss.Energy,industry,transportation,andconstructionarehigh-emittingsectors.Infrastructureconstruction,suchasroadbuilding,canalsocauseproblemssuchaslossorfragmentationofspecieshabitatsanddeforestation.Fragileecosystemscouldalsounderminethesustainabilityofinfras

156、tructureprojectsandlimitfinancialreturns.CompaniesarekeyactorsindirectinfrastructureinvestmentandconstructionactivitiestowardshigherorlowerESGstandards.TheseincludelargeState-Ownedenterprises(SOEs)andprivatecompaniesthatinvestinorconstructinfrastructureprojectsabro

157、ad.TherightpressureandincentivesmustbeimplementedtoencouragecompaniestoadoptandbuildcapacityforhigherESGstandards.CompaniesparticipatingintheBRIvarysignificantlyconcerningtheircapacityforhigherESGstandards.Majorcompaniesarethemostcompetitivecontractorsinthegl

158、obalinfrastructuremarket,whileminoronesareshortofcapacity.Itis,therefore,criticaltounderstandwhethersustainableinfrastructurepoliciesandpracticeswillbetranslatedintoactionintheBRI,especiallybycompaniesthatfundandconstructBRIprojects.Below,weexaminethepressuresand

159、incentivescompaniesfacealongsidetheircapacitytodevelopsustainableinfrastructureintheBRIfrommulti-stakeholderperspectives.24252526CHAPTER3UNDERSTANDINGSUSTAINABLEINFRASTRUCTUREFROMMULTI-STAKEHOLDERPERSPECTIVES3.1ESGStandardsforSustainableInfrastructureFormulatingESGstand

160、ardswillhelpaligntheBRIinfrastructureprojectswiththeSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompactandensurestakeholdersbenefitfromthem.ESGstandardscanhelpChineseenterprisesexpandmarkets,improveprojecteffects,preventdefaultrisks,defuseandmitigateenvironmentalands

161、ocialrisks,andenhanceleadership.ExistinginternationalfinancialinstitutionshavealreadyspentconsiderabletimeandresourcesontheirESGstandardsandbestpractices.Takingbiodiversitystandardsasanexample,majorinternationalfinancialinstitutionsarehighlyconsistentintheirbiodiver

162、sitypolicygoalsandguidingprinciples.Theyallprioritizebiodiversityconservationgoalsintheirwork.Furthermore,theyaimtoreducebiodiversityhazardswhilebalancingconservationanddevelopmentprioritiestoachievezerobiodiversitylossornetgain.Tosystematicallymoveforwardwithsust

163、ainableinfrastructureintheBRI,itisnecessarytoformulatecorrespondingstandardsandsafeguards,developguidelinesforprojectsofdifferentclassesandatdifferentlevels,swiftlyestablishanoperableESGinvestmentpolicyandregulatorysystem,rangingfromprojectapprovalandriskassessme

164、nttoinvestmentsupervision,establishindependentenvironmentalimpactassessment(EIA)andE&Ssystems,andintroduceeffectiveincentivessuchasguarantees,subsidies,anddiscounts.CHAPTER3UNDERSTANDINGSUSTAINABLEINFRASTRUCTUREFROMMULTI-STAKEHOLDERPERSPECTIVES2627Table3.1ESGPoliciesofMaj

165、orDevelopmentBanksChinaDevelopmentBankChinaEximBankWorldBankAsianDevelopmentBankAfricanDevelopmentBankAsianInfrastructureInvestmentBankEnvironmentalandSocialFrameworkYesYesYesYesYesYesConsistentwiththeEnvironment,Society,andLawsoftheHostCountryYesYesYesYesYesYesInformationD

166、isclosureAnnualreportsandSustainableDevelopmentReportsAnnualreportsandSustainableDevelopmentReportsInformationaccesspolicyPubliccommutationpolicyInformationdisclosureandopenpolicyPolicyonpublicinformationAppealsSystemNotavailableNotavailableYesYesYesYesAudit,SupervisionandM

167、anagementinProjectConstructionandOperationRequireself-reportingRequireself-reportingIncludedinESFIncludedinESFIncludedinESFIncludedinESFNegativeorExclusionListYesYesYesYesYesYesSource:Author,basedonopensourcesofinformation2728WillcompaniesfollowhigherESGstandardsinthe

168、contextofagreeningBRIWhatarethebiggestchallenges,concerns,andbenefitsthecompaniesperceiveAnswerstothesequestionsareneededtoachievetheSDGswhileadvancingtheBRIasacontributiontoglobaldevelopment.3.2BusinessSurveyandConsultationInDecember2022,asurveyonenterpris

169、esparticipatingintheBeltandRoadInitiativewasconductedwiththeassistanceofCHINCA(seeAppendixfordetails).Intotal,50validquestionnaireswerereceivedfromforty-fiveState-Ownedenterprisesandfiveprivateenterprises,involvingfivedifferentsectors:34percentintheEnergysector,

170、32percentintheUrbanInfrastructuresector,16%intheTransportationsector,12percentintheICTsector,and6percentintheWaterandWastewatersector.Figure3.1Companiesparticipatedinthesurvey2829Finding1:Thebiggestchallengescompaniesfacearethesocialaspectsandpeople-relatedact

171、ivitiesingovernance.CompanieswereaskedtoratenineissuesinESGaccordingtotheirexperienceinoverseasinfrastructuredevelopment,withfivebeingthemostchallengingandonebeingtheleastchallenging.Laborrightsissuesandrelocationofresidentswerethetwomostchallengingissues,wit

172、h72percentofcompaniesconsideringlaborrightsissuestobeveryorrelativelychallengingand54percentconsideringrelocationofresidentstobeveryorrelativelychallenging;46percentofcompaniesconsideredenvironmentalpollutionissuestobeveryorrelativelychallenging,whileonly28

173、percentconsideredcarbonemissionstobeveryorrelativelychallenging;inaddition,56percentofcompaniesconsideredcommunicationwithlocalGovernmentstobeveryorrelativelychallengingand50percentconsideredcommunicationwithlocalgovernmentstobeveryorrelativelychallenging.Commun

174、icationwithlocalgovernmentwaseitherabigorlargechallenge.Fiftypercentofcompaniesthoughtcommunicationwithlocalmanagementwasabigorlargechallenge.Incomparison,only38percentofcompaniesthoughtprojectinformationdisclosurewasabigchallenge.Figure3.2ChallengesRatedbyt

175、heCompanies2930Finding2:MostcompaniesbelieveSDGsarerelevanttoinfrastructureprojectsandwelcomeSDGguidesandtools.Wecanobservethat66percentofcompaniesbelieveSDGsarerelevanttoinfrastructureprojects,and50percentsaytheywouldlikeguidelinestohelpcompaniesintegratet

176、hemintopractice.Figure3.3UnderstandingoftheSDGsandtheirrelevancetoinfrastructureprojects.3031Finding3:Manycompanieshavepaidattentiontointernationalstandards,includingtheUNGlobalCompactTenPrinciples.TodeterminewhichESG-relatedinternationalstandardshavegainedthemost

177、attentionfromcompanies,welistedninesustainability-relatedinternationalstandardsandguidelines,includingtheUNGlobalCompactTenPrinciples.Itwasfoundthat64percentofcompanieshadpaidattentiontotheWorldBanksEnvironment,HealthandSafetyGuidelines,60percenthadpaidattention

178、totheISO26000guidelinesonsocialresponsibility,and50percenthadpaidattentiontotheUNGlobalCompactTenPrinciples.Figure3.4Internationalsustainabilitystandardsandguidelinesthatgainthemostattention3132Finding4:MostcompanieshaveanESGframeworkforoverseasinfrastructure

179、projects.WhenaskedwhethercompaniessetupanESGframeworkforinfrastructureprojectsoverseasandwhattheyreferto,themultiple-choiceresultsshowthat80percentofcompanieshavedevelopedaspecificESGframeworkforoverseasinfrastructureprojects.Inthedevelopmentprocess,60percento

180、fcompaniesrefertohostgovernmentpolicydocuments,54percenttoChinesegovernmentpolicies,52percenttoindustryassociationstandards,and12percenttointernationalagencystandards.Figure3.5MainreferenceofESGframeworksforoverseasinfrastructureprojects3233Finding5:Mostcompaniesh

181、aveadepartmentorpositiondedicatedtoESGimplementation.Companieswerealsoaskedwhethertheyhaveaspecialdepartmentorpersonresponsibleforimplementingtherelevantspecificationsinconstructingoverseasinfrastructureprojects.Itisencouragingtonotethatasignificantnumberofcom

182、paniesattachimportancetotheimplementationoftheESG,with30percenthavingadedicateddepartment,34percenthavingadedicatedpositionanddedicatedpersonnel,28percenthavingpart-timepersonnel,andonly8percentnothavingrelevantpersonneltoimplementtheESGpolicies.Figure3.6Exist

183、enceofdedicateddepartmentsorpersonnelforimplementingtheESGpolicy3334Finding6:Companiesperceivebetterlocalcommunicationandaccesstofinance,corporatedecision-making,andprojectplanningasthepositiveimpactsofadoptinganSDG-relatedESGframework.Whenaskedabouttheperceptions

184、ofcompaniesonthepossiblepositiveimpactofadoptingasetofvoluntaryguidelinesonESGconcerningtheSDGs,68percentofcompaniesfeltthatitwouldfacilitatecommunicationwithNGOsandlocalcommunities,64percentthoughtthatitwouldfacilitateaccesstofinancefromfinancialinstitut

185、ions,especiallyinternationalones,56percentfeltthatitwouldfacilitatecorporatedecisionmakingand56percentthoughtthatitwouldpromotebetterprojectplanninginthehostcountry.Figure3.7PerceivedpositiveimpactsofadoptingvoluntaryESGguidelines3435Finding7:Possiblecostincreas

186、eisthebiggestconcernforcompaniesadoptingvoluntaryESGguidelines.WhenaskedwhatnegativeimpactsmightoccurifasetofvoluntaryESGguidelinesrelatedtotheSDGswereadopted,54percentofcompaniesfeltthatitwouldincreasethecostofinvestmentandbuildingabusiness,46percentwe

187、reconcernedaboutthepotentialmanipulationofdiscoursebyevaluationagencies,and44percentwereconcernedthatitwouldresultinfewercommerciallyviableprojects.Ascanbeseen,increasedcostsaretheimpactthatconcernscompaniesthemost.Figure3.8Perceivednegativeimpactsofadopting

188、voluntaryESGguidelines.3536Finding8:Mostcompaniesbelievethatmanagementawarenessisatthetopofthelistofcapacity-buildingprioritiesiftheyadoptanSDGguideinpractice.WhenaskedwhichareasofcapacityChinesecompanieswouldmostneedtoincreaseiftheyweretoadoptasetofvol

189、untaryESGguidelinesrelatedtotheSDGs,88percentsaidtheywouldmostneedmanagementawareness,70percentsaidtheywouldneedtostrengthenawarenessamongallemployees,66percentsaidtheywouldneedtoimproveinternalmanagementmechanismsandincreasetransparency,60percentsaidtheywou

190、ldneedtodevelopcorporatemanagementpracticesregardingtheguidelines,and60percentsaidtheywouldneedtoimprovetheirupfrontcommunicationskills,especiallywithlocalcommunities.OnecompanycommentedthatChinesecompaniesneedtodevelopsupplychainmanagementcapacity.Figure3.9Perc

191、eivedCapacity-buildingprioritiesforwideradoptionofESGguidelines.3637373838393.3ConsensusandDilemmasTheabovesurveyandconsultationdemonstratetheconsensusbetweenChinaandBRIpartnercountriesinthepoliciesandpracticesrelatedtosustainableinvestmentandcontinuouslyrefining

192、theoverseasinvestmentsupervisionsystemsothatoverseasinvestmentsupervisionandguidancecanenterasystematizedandinstitutionalizedstage.However,whilepolicyframeworksareinplace,gapsremaininoperationalizingthem.CompaniesparticipatingintheBRIstillfaceseveralchallengesand

193、dilemmas.ManyBRIpartnercountriesarestillinthepreliminarydevelopmentstageandhavehugecapitalneedsforinfrastructureconstruction.Manypartnercountrieshavekeptlowenvironmentalthresholdsforvariousreasons,suchaslowlaborproductivityandweakcapacity.Somecountriesemphasizer

194、apidpovertyreductionoverthequalityofeconomicgrowth,focusingmoreonrapidindustrializationdrivenbytraditionaldevelopmentmodelsratherthansustainability.AllofthishasplacedmanyBRIpartnercountriesinadifficultpositionofpromotingenergyaccess,jobcreation,andpovertyreduct

195、ionthroughindustrializationandurbanizationinthecontextofafragileecologicalenvironment,inefficientenergyuse,andhighcarbonemissionintensity.Besides,countriesalongtheBeltandRoadaremainlydevelopingcountries,wherelocallawsonenvironmentalprotection,laborprotection,andothe

196、rESGissuesareoftentobeimproved.Sometimes,thehostcountryhasnolawstoabidebywhen,forexample,settlingadispute,whichisbeyondthegraspofthelawsandregulationsofthecompanyshomecountry.Whenhost-countryregulationsandstandardsareveryloworunestablished,companiestendto

197、usehome-countrystandards,whichmaybehigherbutnotashighasinternationalones.Actually,mostoftheso-calledinternationalstandardsaremainlymanipulatedbydevelopedcountries.Chinaanddevelopingcountrieshavehadlimitedparticipation,andsomestandardsmightbetoodemandingfinanciall

198、yfordevelopingcountriesandmaynotapplytothelocalcontext.Althoughcurrentpoliciesaskinvestorstofollowlocallawsandregulations,itcouldbemorepracticalandworkabletoencouragetheadoptionofhigherinternationalstandards.Therefore,host-countrydevelopmentstrategiesandregulat

199、ionsplayakey3940roleindeterminingtheprojectstandardsanditsemployedbusinessmodel,thusfundamentallyinfluencingtheESGimpactsthroughoutitslifecycle.Forinstance,thehostcountrybuildscoal-firedorcleanenergyplantsaspartofitsenergystrategy.Therefore,theirawarenessandc

200、apacitytodevelopanenergydevelopmentstrategyaligningwiththeiremissioncommitmentsundertheParisAgreementaresignificant.AmajordilemmaisthatverylimitedprojectsinBRIcountriesareconsideredbankableformultilateraldevelopmentbanksandprivateinvestors,asthelowprivatepart

201、icipationrateshows.InmanyBRIcountries,connectingcapitalavailableforESGinvestmentwithinvestmentopportunitiesishamperedbyinvestmentbarriers,marketfailures,andpolicymisalignments.Toovercomethem,governmentshaveakeyroleinstrengtheningdomesticframeworksforeconomic,investme

202、nt,andclimatepoliciestoensurethattheyaremutuallysupportiveandultimatelytoimprovetherisk-returnprofileofESGinvestmentprojects(OECD,2017).Finally,itshouldberecognizedthatasmajoractors,Chineseenterprisesandfinancialinstitutionsaredevelopingenvironmentalriskassessment

203、andmanagementcapacityandhaveyettoestablishcomprehensivesystems,processes,andstandardsinthisregard.Forexample,severalmajorChinesefinancialinstitutions,includingtheChinaDevelopmentBank(CDB)andtheIndustrialandCommercialBankofChina(ICBC),havesigneduptotheGreenInvestme

204、ntPrinciples,pledgingtocloselywatchtheclimate,environmental,andsocialimpactoftheirinvestmentandoperationsinpartnercountries.However,specificmechanismsaretobeputinplacetofulfillthispromise.Inaddition,manyChinesecompaniesarestillinadequateindisclosingtheirenvironme

205、ntalinformationandcommunicatingwithcivilsocieties,communities,andotherstakeholdersinhostcountries.Allinall,thebuildingofrulesandstandardsandtheirenforcementwillbekeytopromotingthehigh-qualitydevelopmentoftheBeltandRoad,anditwillalsobealong-termdynamicprocess

206、thatrequiresthejointeffortsandmutuallearningofallparties.Atthesametime,businessesvoluntaryactionscouldmakeadifference.ToraiseawarenessandenhancethecapacityofcompaniesparticipatingintheBRIsinfrastructureprojectsleadingtobetterbusinessalignmentwiththeSDGsand

207、theTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact,thisGuideidentifiesandhighlightskeycommonguidingprinciplestowardssustainableinfrastructurethatcompaniescantailortotheirindividualneeds.TheGuideaimstoinformbusinessdecision-makingonthedesign,building,operation,andmaintenanceof

208、infrastructureprojectsandthemonitoringandevaluationofsustainableinfrastructureduringtheprojectlife-cycle.40414142CHAPTER4SUSTAINABLEINFRASTRUCTUREFORCOMPANIESPARTICIPATINGINTHEBRI:ANSDGGUIDECHAPTER4SUSTAINABLEINFRASTRUCTUREFORCOMPANIESPARTICIPATINGINTHEBRI:ANSDGGUI

209、DE4.1RecommendationsforCompaniesParticipatingintheBRIFirst,toraiseawarenessandunifythinkingonESG.ManycompaniesparticipatingintheBRIareunclearaboutthestrategicobjectivesofoverseasinvestment,theparticularitiesofparticipatingintheBeltandRoadconstructionbusiness,and

210、theroleofoverseasbusinessintheoverallbusinessstructureofthecompany.CompaniesshoulddevelopcorrespondingESG-basedstrategicplanningandimplementationplansbasedoncarefulconsiderationandanalysisofoverseasbusinessandmakedynamicadjustments.Second,toimproveESGcompliance

211、awareness,ability,andsystembuildinginenvironmentalprotection,laborrightsprotection,compensationfordemolition,communityparticipation,anti-corruption,andotherESGissues.CompaniesparticipatingintheBRIcanattaininternationalESGstandardsatacontrollablecost,butcomplyingwithhigh

212、standardsrequiresdedicatedeffortsandisnotalinearprocess.Establishingacompliancesystemandfosteringacompliancecultureiskey.Complianceshouldbeimprovedatsystem,mechanism,organization,andcorporateculturelevels,especiallyconcerningbiddingandcontractmanagement,E&Simpactass

213、essment,implementation,andintegrity.Third,toimprovetheESGqualityandeffectivenessofvariousprojects,enhancingthesenseofgainforthegeneralpublicinthecountrywheretheprojectislocated,enhancingtheinterestsofthepeopleoftheparticipatingcountries,andobtainingthesupportof

214、relevantpartiestothegreatestextent.TheESGeffectsoftheprojectsonlocalcommunitiesshouldbegreatlyconsidered.Effortsshouldalsobemadetocommunicatewithdifferentstakeholders,especiallythelocalcommunities,incorporatetheirconcernsandopinionsindecision-making,encourageloca

215、lizationinemploymentandprocurement,andinnovatecorporatesocialresponsibilitypracticesbasedonlocalneeds.Fourth,doagoodjobofcommercial4243feasibilityassessmentandstrivetofindreliableandtrustedpartnerstosharerisks.CompaniesmustoptimizeinternalESGmanagement,includingd

216、ecision-making,monitoring,andperformanceevaluation,whileemployingmoreprofessionalsincomplianceandESGmanagement.Moreeffectivemeasuresshouldbeadoptedtopromoteeffectivecommunicationwithlocalcommunities.ThemarketforconsultingservicesoninternationalESGstandardsshouldbefur

217、therdeveloped.BusinessassociationsandNGOsshouldbepromotedandencouragedtooperateoverseasandplaysupportingandmonitoringroles.4.2SDGGuideforSustainableInfrastructurePrinciple1:UnderstandingInfrastructureandSDGsLinkagesinaHolisticandIn-DepthWayThisprinciplecaterstot

218、heneedsofcompaniesthatareraisingtheunderstandingandawarenessofthemanagementteamaboutSDGs.Themanagementteamneedstounderstandhowinfrastructurerelatestothe17Goalsandwhichofthe169indicatorsunderthesegoalsrelatemostdirectlytotheinfrastructureissue.Herearetwo

219、examples:Table4.1LinksbetweenSDG1andsustainableinfrastructure.SDG1.EndallformsofpovertyAccesstodrinkingwaterinimpoverishedareasTheproportionofimpoverishedhouseholdswithdrinkingwatersupplieddirectlytotheirhouseholdsAccesstoenergyinimpoverishedareasTheproportionof

220、impoverishedvillagesorhouseholdswithaccesstoelectricityTransportationconvenienceinimpoverishedareasTheproportionofimpoverishedareasaccessiblebyconvenienttransportationAccesstoinformationandcommunicationtechnologyinimpoverishedareasTheproportionofimpoverishedareaswit

221、haccesstoinformationandcommunicationtechnology4344Table4.2LinksbetweenSDG9andsustainableinfrastructureSDG9.Buildresilientinfrastructure,promoteinclusiveandsustainableindustrialization,andfosterinnovation9.1Developquality,reliable,sustainable,andresilientinfrastructure,inc

222、ludingregionalandtrans-borderinfrastructure,tosupporteconomicdevelopmentandhumanwell-being,withafocusonaffordableandequitableaccessforall9.1.1Proportionoftheruralpopulationwholivewithin2kmofanall-seasonroad9.1.2Passengerandfreightvolumesbymodeoftransport9.4By

223、2030,upgradeinfrastructureandretrofitindustriestomakethemsustainable,withincreasedresource-useefficiencyandgreateradoptionofcleanandenvironmentallysoundtechnologiesandindustrialprocesses,withallcountriestakingactioninaccordancewiththeirrespectivecapabilities9.4.1CO

224、2emissionperunitofvalueadded9.aFacilitatesustainableandresilientinfrastructuredevelopmentindevelopingcountriesthroughenhancedfinancial,technological,andtechnicalsupporttoAfricancountries,leastdevelopedcountries,landlockeddevelopingcountries,andsmallislanddevelopingStat

225、es9.a.1Totalofficialinternationalsupport(officialdevelopmentassistanceplusotherofficialflows)toinfrastructure9.cSignificantlyincreaseaccesstoinformationandcommunicationstechnologyandstrivetoprovideuniversalandaffordableaccesstotheInternetinleast-developedcountriesby

226、20209.c.1Proportionofthepopulationcoveredbyamobilenetworkbytechnology4445Principle2:OptimizingthePositiveImpactofInfrastructuretoAchieveEconomicGrowthandSustainableDevelopmentInfrastructureisanimportantpropellertoachieveinclusiveandsustainablegrowth.Infrastructure

227、boostsproductivityasapreconditionandstimulantforeconomicgrowth.Infrastructureinvestmentcanbeleveragedasatooltosimulateeconomiesinrecessionandasaneffectiveapproachtopromotingsupply-sidereform,whichraisesthepotentialgrowthrateandenhanceslong-andmedium-termsustai

228、nabledevelopment.Inaddition,infrastructureimprovesmarketefficiencyandpromotessocialequality.Infrastructurenetworksbetweenregionsactasanenginetoaddressregionaldevelopmentimbalancesessentialtoregionalgrowthinitiatives.FinancialSustainabilityCompaniesshouldpursuehigh-qual

229、ityinfrastructuresthatareviable,affordable,accessible,inclusive,andbroadlybeneficialovertheirentirelifecycle,contributingtosustainabledevelopmentandindustrializationofhostcountries.Planinfrastructureprojectsstrategicallyandalignthemwithhostcountriesregionalandnationald

230、evelopmentplans.Leaveenoughtimeandresourcesforadequateprojectpreparation.Conductcommercialfeasibilityassessmentsandmakeemergencyplansassoonaspossible,especiallytoformulateexitstrategiesforanypotentialproblemsthathavenotbeenresolvedduringthecontractnegotiationpro

231、cess,andstrivetofindreliableandtrustedpartnerstosharerisk.4546Makeeffortstodiversifyfinancingoptions,includingpromotingthepublic-privatepartnership(PPP)modelandcooperationwithinternationalfinancinginstitutions.Inprinciple,infrastructureprojectsdeemedcommerciallyviable

232、andbankableshouldbepursuedthroughPPPandotherinnovativefinancingmodels.LocalIndustrialDevelopmentCompaniesshouldpromoteincreasedtransparency,openprocurementwithcompetitivebidding,andbetterriskassessmentinprojectselection.Makeademonstrablecontributiontolocaleconomicd

233、evelopmentandincludeadegreeoflocalprocurementtounleashthelocaleconomicpotential.Givepreferentialtreatmenttosuppliersownedbylocalcommunitiesandvulnerablegroupsorthatdirectlyorindirectlysupportthem.Encouragethedevelopmentoflocalsmallandmediumenterprisesandco-op

234、eratives,enablingandenhancingtheirparticipationintheproductiveeconomy.LocalEconomicEmpowermentCompaniesshouldcontributeeconomicbenefits,includingtaxrevenues,investmentdividends,trainingfunds,etc.Creategreateraccesstolocalemployment,includingdirectjobssupportedandgenerate

235、dbyinfrastructureprojectsandemployeeskillsdevelopment.Facilitatelocalbusinessopportunitiesandinnovativebusinesspractices,includingproducts,services,processes,technologies,andfinancingmechanisms.Promotetechnologytransfer,knowledgesharing,andlocallinkagedevelopmentofproducts.P

236、rinciple3:IntegratingEnvironmentalSustainabilityintoInfrastructureDevelopmentThegreenBRIshouldaimtoalignwithinternationalstandardsandrulesinthecontextofglobalcarbonneutralityandtheassociatedgreendevelopmentconsensus.Greeninvestment,greentrade,greenfinance,andgreent

237、echnologiesdevelopmentshouldbepromoted.Atthesametime,thegreencooperationbetweenenterprisesandfinancialinstitutionsshouldbeintensified.Inaddition,BRIcountriesgreendevelopmentknowledgesharingandenvironmentalgovernanceshouldbeenhanced.GHGemissionsreductionCompaniesshoul

238、dstriveforambitiousGHGemissionsreductiontargetstosupportthetransitionfromfossilfuelstocleanenergy.Acceleratethedeploymentoflow-carboninfrastructureinvestmentto4647generatepropereconomicbenefitsandcatalyzethetransitiontosustainabledevelopmentpaths.Pioneertechnolog

239、icalinnovationandenergyandindustrialrevolution,mitigatetheclimateimpactofdevelopmentandavoidcarbonlock-in.PollutionReductionCompaniesshoulddeveloppollutioncontroltoavoiddirectorindirectthreatsfrompollutantstohumansandothercreatures.UseProjectEnvironmentalandSoci

240、alImpactAssessmentorEnvironmentalandSocialActionPlanasthebasisforplanning,reporting,monitoring,andevaluation.Paycloseattentiontodifferentkindsofpollution,includingair,soil,undergroundwater,noise,andsolidwasteinthelocality,andabidebylocallawsandregulations.Energy,Wat

241、erUseandConservationCompaniesshouldincreasetheirenergyefficiency,developinnovativeproductdesigns,andintroduceeffectiveenvironmentalmanagementsystems.Increasetheuseofrenewableorlow-carbonenergy,includinghydropower,windpower,solarpower,andotheralternatives,aspathwaystos

242、ecuregreaterenergysecurity.Optimizethemanagementofwaterresources,whichnotonlyreducesrunningcostsforbusinessesbutalsomitigateswater-relatedconflictswithlocalcommunities.BiodiversityandEcosystemProtectionCompaniesshouldpreventdamagetothelocalecosystemandconservebio

243、diversityandhabitatswhererareandendangeredwildlifespeciesgrow.Minimizeland-usechangeanddeforestation,whichcouldaffectforestcoverandecosystemhealthandimpacttheglobalclimate.Considerestablishingecologicalcorridors,bufferzones,andisolationbelts,avoidingeco-sensitivezone

244、s,andimplementinglandrestorationandconservationprojects.47484849Principle4:IntegratingSocialSustainabilityintoInfrastructureDevelopmentSustainableinfrastructureprovidesessentialservicestomeetsocialneedsandexpectations.Thesocialaspectiscrucialifcompaniesseektoreducebus

245、inessrisks,promotegoodgovernance,andincreasecontributionstowardsamoresociallyinclusiveeconomy,communitydevelopment,andcommonprosperity.Failuretoadoptamoresociallyinclusiveapproachtobusinessreducestheiropportunitiesforbusinesssuccessandmaywellinfluencetheirbusiness

246、survivalinthelongterm.Asalsoechoedinthesurvey,localemploymentandlaborprotectioniscritical.LocalEmploymentandLaborProtectionLocalemploymentandlaborprotectionwouldbuildtrustandcapacityamonglocalcommunitiesandhostcountrystakeholdersandimprovetheoverallqualityof

247、eachprojectbyusinglocalandindigenousworkerslocalknowledge,expertise,andpractices.AbidebyChineseandhostcountrieslawsandpoliciesonlabor,employment,immigrationmanagement,andhealthandsafety.Conductsocialimpactassessmentscoveringhumanrights,labor,employment,gender,health,saf

248、ety,andconflict.Establishlocalrecruitmentmechanisms,promotelocalemployment(includingaffectedpeople),andsignandrespectcontracts.Cultivatelocalworkersandoffertrainingandprogramsinlocallanguages,laws,andculturestoChineseworkerstopromotemutualrespect,understanding,andexcha

249、nge.Providetrainingprogramsinprojectquality,healthandsafety,environmentalprotection,andintellectualpropertytoworkers.Maintainsafeandhealthylivingandworkingforprojectworkers.Respectlegallyestablishedworkersorganizationsandlegitimateworkersrepresentatives.CommunityDevelop

250、ment4950Pursuebusinessinterestsinamannerthatgeneratessocialandenvironmentalcapitalforlocalcommunitieswithoutexcludingfinancialreturnsforbusinesses.Promotelocal,inclusiveemploymentandharmoniouscommunityrelations,contributingtothesustainabledevelopmentandinclusivepros

251、perityoflow-incomecommunities.Offerskillstraining,smallbusinessdevelopmentassistance,andtargetedcommunityinvestments,andconsidergivinglocalcommunitiesanequityshareinprojects.Improveinfrastructure,resources,andserviceprovisioninlocalcommunitiesasidentifiedthroughstakehol

252、derengagementandpublicparticipationprocesses.StakeholderEngagementCompaniesshouldadoptamulti-stakeholderapproachthatseekstoengagehost-countrygovernments,regulators,andlocalNGOs,communities,andbusinessesearly.Workinawaythatshowsdueregardfortheopinionsofexternalstake

253、holdergroups,investinbuildingpublictrust,andestablishgoodrelationswiththeirstakeholders.Stakeholderengagementandcivicdialogueareundertakenstrategicallyandarticulateastakeholder-centricviewwhendiscussingbusinessesroleinsociety.Engagerelevantstakeholderscomprehensively

254、andcontinuouslywhileengagingvulnerablestakeholdergroupssuchaswomenandyouth.WomenandVulnerableGroupsEmpowermentIncreasethenumberoffemalejobscreatedorsupporteddirectlyandindirectlybyprojects,includingfull-timeequivalentandpart-timeworkers.Providetargetedskillstrain

255、ingandemploymentopportunitiestolocalwomenandsupportfemaleentrepreneurs,empoweringthem.Ensurethatinfrastructureservicesarefullyaccessibletowomen,youth,children,disabled,disadvantaged,andothervulnerablegroupswithspecialneeds.Designandimplementprojectsfollowingaccessibilit

256、ystandardsandcollectfeedbackfromvulnerablegroups,ensuringtheirinputandneedsareconsideredthroughouttheprojectlifecycle.50515152Principle5:IntegratingGovernanceConsiderationswithInfrastructureDevelopmentInfrastructuregovernancereferstothesustainabledevelopmentoftheenti

257、relifecycleofprojects,includingthestagesoffunding,planning,design,building,operation,maintenance,andclosure.Itencompassesmanymeasuresthatimpacttheprocurementprocesssdesignandimplementation,includingtransparency,valueformoney,equaltreatment,opencompetition,andsoundprocedura

258、lmanagement.Theobjectiveistoachieveefficient,transparent,andresponsivedecision-makingprocessesininfrastructureinvestment.Civicdemandsforgreaterpublicaccountabilityandtransparencyarealsoontherise,whichcompelsbusinessesandotherpublicactorstobemoreopenintheiractivit

259、ies.LocalCommunicationandAccountabilityCompaniesshouldadoptorenforceprinciplesoftransparencyandaccountabilityinpursuitofhigh-standardandtransparentinfrastructurepartnerships.Adheretotheconceptofopenness,co-construction,andcommercialoperationforstrategicprojects,andfol

260、lowthegenerallyacceptedinternationalrulesinprojectconstruction,procurement,andoperation.Strengthenthecompliancereviewmechanismforoverseasinvestmentandestablishandimprovethesystemofoverseasinvestmentdecision-making,financialmanagement,andaccountabilityforviolations.Fully

261、implementtheprincipleofextensiveconsultation,jointcontribution,andsharedbenefits.Inaddition,pursueopen,green,andcleancooperationwhilefollowingahigh-standard,people-oriented,andsustainableapproach.InformationDisclosureInformationdisclosurehelpsincreasetransparencyandaccounta

262、bilityofoveralloperationsandbuildstrustamonglocalcommunities,hostcountrystakeholders,andotherThird-Partystakeholders.CompaniesshouldestablishasoundCSRdisclosuremechanismtodisclosesocialresponsibilityinformationandperformanceandregularlyreleasesocialresponsibilityor

263、sustainabilityreports.Ensurethatinformationsuchasthepurpose,scope,costs,andimplementationofinfrastructureprojectsismadeopenandpromptlyaccessibletothepublic.Adoptapolicyofdisclosingthedetailsofpayments,includingtaxes,royalties,andotherpayments,tohost-countrygovernment

264、s.Supportkeystakeholderssuchas5253civilsociety,themedia,andcitizensinmonitoringthisinformationandultimatelyincreasinglevelsofaccountabilityarounddecision-making.Anti-corruptionBusinessesoughttocreateandexecuteasystemformanagingbriberyandcorruptionthroughouttheproj

265、ectsentirelifecycle.Adoptmeasuresthatpromoteethics,accountability,integrity,andtransparency,upholdstandardsofconduct,andarrangeappropriatechannelstoreportwrongdoing.Provideanti-corruptiontrainingtoseniormanagementtobuildinternalandexternalawarenessandthenecessarycapac

266、itytocombatcorruption.GrievanceMechanismCreateagrievancemechanismthatismindfulofcommunitymemberseducationlevelsandallowsforopenandanonymoussubmissions.Developpredictableandclearprocedurestocategorizequeries,concerns,andcomplaints.Providetrainingtomanagementandrele

267、vantstafftoensurepropercomplianceandintegrity.Designatepersonnelordepartmentstorecordandaddressqueries,concerns,andcomplaints.5354545555565.1SDGImpactAssessmentToolTheSDGImpactAssessmentTooltranslatestheGuideintoalearningtoolforcompaniesparticipatingintheBRItos

268、elf-assesstheirEconomic,Environmental,Social,andGovernance(EESG)impactsonthe17SDGsandTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact.ItaimstostimulatecompaniestounderstandbetterthecomplexityofsustainableinfrastructureandthedifferentaspectsoftheSDGsandTenPrinciplessothat

269、companiesbecomebetterequippedtoprioritizeactionsahead.Thetoolprovidesstep-by-stepguidanceandadditionalinformationtosupporttheapplicationofthistool.IthelpscompaniestoidentifyrelevantsustainabilityperspectivesoftheirinfrastructureprojectsintheBRIinasimple

270、andstructuredapproach.ThetoolencouragesreflectionsontheEESGanditslinkswiththeSDGsandTenPrinciples.Below,wepresentthetoolandthestepsofanSDGimpactassessment,followedbyillustrativecasesforinspirationandcollaborativelearning.CHAPTER5SDGIMPACTASSESSMENTFORPRIVATE

271、SECTORPLAYERSINBRIINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTSCHAPTER5SDGIMPACTASSESSMENTFORPRIVATESECTORPLAYERSINBRIINFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTS5657Step1:UnderstandtheEESGContextCompaniesparticipatinginBRIinfrastructureprojectsshouldfirstsetouttodevelopabroadscopeofthespecificlocalEES

272、Gcontextandconsiderhowthismightdrivebusinessestoimplementsustainabilitypractices.DevelopingcountriespresentauniquepatternofEESGchallengestodivergentregulatoryframeworks,complexsocioeconomiccontexts,andbusinessengagementhistoriesandstructures.Companiesparticipatingin

273、BRIinfrastructureprojectshavemuchtogainfromenhancingtheirunderstandingofthelocalEESGcontext.Sensitivitytolocalcontextsrequiresathoroughknowledgeofthebusinessoperatingenvironmentandcarefulhandlingofsocialdemandsconcerningsustainableinfrastructuredevelopment.Inyou

274、rscoping,trytoconsiderthefollowing:BroadsocialandeconomicconditionsStabilityandoverallinvestmentenvironmentEconomicgrowthrate,debtlevel,andcurrencyMarketsizeandcompositionPopulationstructureandconsumerhabitsLabormarketandskilledlaborResourceendowmentandutilizatio

275、nInfrastructureconnectivityandICTGeographicalconditionsandnaturaldisastersReligionandculturalcustomsLevelsofinequalityandunemploymentLevelsofeducationandpublicservicedeliveryGovernancesystemandinstitutionalinfrastructureRegulatoryframeworksandlegalobligationsSusta

276、inability-relatedneedsandpriorities5758RiskofsocialconflictandlaborstrikesCarbonpolicy,energysecurity,andwaterscarcity.Theresponsibilitiesandsocialrolesnowexpectedofbusinessareincreasingconstantly.Assuch,engagingwiththesustainabilityagendaandshowingleadershipinthi

277、sspacewillbeadefiningcharacteristicofsuccessfulinfrastructureprojectsintheBRI.Companiesshouldbereadytoadapttheirbusinesssystems,operationalpractices,andevencommercialmodelstofitthelocalcontextwherenecessary.Step2:CharttheSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesInthesecondst

278、ep,youwillworkthroughtheTenPrinciplesandtheSDGsonhowyouperceivetheirrelevancetoyourprojectinthespecificEESGcontext.ThisstepaimstofacilitatethesortingandchartingthemostrelevantTenPrinciplesinlinewiththeSDGframeworktosupportmeaningful,consistent,credible,an

279、dstructuredassessmentofprojectimpactsinthenextstep.ThetoolpresentstheSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesandtheirinterconnections,servingasabasisforcompaniestoidentifywhichtheyconsiderthemostorleastrelevantorthattheydonotknowmuchabout.Itmustbeemphasizedthatthetool

280、doesnotcaptureallconnectionsandrelationships.Indeed,manyprinciplesareprofoundlycross-cuttinginnature.Step3:AssessYourImpactInthethirdstep,theSDGimpactassessmentisconducted.Thenormativeprinciplestoguidetheassessmentofthenotionof“DoNoHarm”and“DoMaximalGood”byfoll

281、owingaprinciples-basedapproachtobusinessandtherealizationoftheSDGs,anchoredintheessentialstartingpointofreducingnegativeimpactsonpeopleandplacesassociatedwithbusinessactivitiesandvaluechains.Inthis5859step,youareencouragedtobeginwiththeSDGsandtheTenPrincip

282、lesthat,inthespecificEESGcontext,youbelievearemostpertinenttoyourproject.Thetooltakesaqualitativeapproachandlaysoutastandardcategorizationbelowtoidentifytherelevantimpactsofprojectactivitiesandtheimplicationsforprojectdesignmonitoring,reporting,andverification

283、.Noimpact(In)directpositiveimpact(In)directnegativeimpactUnclearYoushouldassessyourimpactbyselectingacategoryforeachPrincipleandSDGwhileconsideringtheirinterconnections.AprojectisconsideredtohavenoeffectifitdoesnotcorrelatewiththeSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesor

284、ifitsinfluenceisminimal.ApositiveimpactisdefinedassupportingtheimplementationoftheSDGsandtheTenPrinciples,whereasanegativeimpactimpedestheimplementation.AdirectimpactimmediatelyaffectstheimplementationoftheSDGsandtheTenPrinciples;anindirectimpacthassecondar

285、yeffects.Anunclearimpactoccurswhentheinformationisinsufficienttodecide,oryouneedmoreknowledgeandcapacitytoassesstheimpact.Youmayidentifymultiple,andsometimesconflicting,impactsofyourproject,suchasapositiveimpactononePrincipleandSDGandanegativeimpactonanoth

286、er.Itisrecommendedthatyourecordallimpactsandselectwhatisconsideredthemostsignificantimpactwhilecontinuingtoevaluatetheselectionastheprojectmovesforward.Inassessingyourproject,trytoconsiderthefollowing:ProjecttimeframeProjectgeographicalscopeProjectimplementat

287、ionscaleProjectlifespanandlife-cycleportfoliomanagementWhiletheSDGimpacttoolfocusesonpositiveSDGimpactreporting,thecorrespondingclaimsmadebyprojectdevelopersconcerningpositiveimpactsarecredibleonlyiftheyaredeterminedandcommunicatedinconjunctionwithrobuststakeh

288、olderengagement,strongsafeguards,andcredibleverification.Followingtheprecedingsteps,companiescanbetterunderstandhowtoidentifyandpromotepositiveimpactswhileaddressingnegativeimpactsontheSDGsandtheTenPrinciples.Iftherearecleargapsinknowledgeandcapacity,thesestepsa

289、lsoprovidetheopportunitytodevelopcapacity-buildinginitiativesandlearningprogramstofillsuchgaps.Meanwhile,thesestepscanalsoberegardedascontinuingeffortstodevelopamoresystematicandcomprehensivecorporatesustainabilitystrategyinlinewiththeSDGsandtheTenPrinciples.

290、At59606061astrategiclevel,asustainabilitymindsetprovidesavitallenstodetermineemergingandfuturesocialtrends.Assuch,companiesthatfocusonsustainabilityaregeneratingimportantcollectiveinsightsthatfosteramorepredictablebusinessenvironment.Thisisofparticularvaluetoco

291、mpaniesthatholdalong-termperspective.SustainabilityisnotjustaboutCSRbutrequiresalensthroughwhichtoevaluateacompanyscorebusinessinterests.CSRiswidelyperceivedasnon-strategic,under-resourced,andunrelatedtocorebusinessinterests.Strategicsustainability,incontrast,isin

292、creasinglyviewedasgenerating“sharedvalue”forsocietyatlargeandthebusinessinparticular.However,suchanoutcomerequiresintegratedactionacrossacompanysoperations,fromprocurementandmanufacturingtoemploymentandconsumerrelations.Whileresponsibilityfordevelopingandimplementin

293、gsustainabilitypoliciesmayfalltoadedicatedmanagementteam,anycommitmenttosustainabilitymustbeownedbythebusinessasawholetobeeffective.Limitedoutcomeswillemergeifitformsanisolatedsilowithinacompany.NotmanycompaniesinvolvedinBRIinfrastructureprojectshaveachie

294、vedsuchaholistic,business-focusedapproachtosustainability.Eventhosewhohaveestablishedaclearstrategicvisionfortheircompanylackthecombinationoflong-terminternalincentives,forward-lookingleadership,andengagedemployeesthatcharacterizeleading-edgesustainablebusinesses.Belo

295、w,weuseillustrativecasesforinspirationandcollaborativelearningtoencouragefurtherdialogueandpartnerships.61625.2IllustrativeCasesCase1:KarotHydropowerStationinPakistanAfineexampleofhowsustainableinfrastructureisbeingimplementedlocallyistheKarotHydropowerStationin

296、Pakistan.The720-megawatthydropowerstation,locatedontheJhelumRiver,hasbeendevelopedbyChinasThreeGorgesCorpthroughitssubsidiarycompanyCTGSouthAsiaInvestmentLtd(CSAIL)undertheChina-PakistanEconomicCorridor.Aftersixyearsofconstruction,itcommencedcommercialoperationsin

297、June2022.TheChinesecompanyhasadheredtohighstandardsinprojectconstruction.Forexample,regardingopenness,theprojectisfinancednotonlybyChinesefinancierssuchastheExport-ImportBankofChina,theCDB,andtheSilkRoadFundbutalsobytheIFC.Intheconstructionprocess,ithasnot

298、onlyfolloweditsowncompliancemanagementsystembuthasstriventomeettherequirementsoftheIFCandalignitselfwithinternationalrulesandstandards.Inthebeginning,CSAILhadinsufficientknowledgeandunderstandingoftheIFCsrulesandstandards,andminorproblemsinsafety,hygiene,and

299、vocationalhealthkeptemerging.Nevertheless,CSAILactivelycooperatedwiththeIFCandacceptedregularmonitoringbyThird-Partyconsultantsonthesocialandenvironmentalimpactoftheproject,includinglabor,pollutionprevention,communityhealthandsafety,landacquisition,andbiodiversityissu

300、es,amongotherthings.Withcontinuousefforts,theprojecthaswonconfidencefromallsides,andalmostnosocialandenvironmentalissuesweredetectedinthelaterstage.Regardingecologicalprotection,CSAILdevelopedacomprehensiveBiodiversity6263ManagementPlanattheconstructionandoperatio

301、nstagesoftheproject.Theplanaddressesregionalbiodiversityconcernsandfocusesonachieving“NoNetLoss”ofaquaticfauna.ThecompanyalsoengagedtheInternationalUnionofConservationofNature(IUCN),aleadingenvironmentalorganizationatthepolicyandcommunitylevels,toimplementthepl

302、an.Moreover,theplanstrivestoprotecttwonearbynationalparks,whichareincludedinthereservoirscatchmentareaandextend27kilometersupstream(Zhou,2022).CSAILhasalsoactivelycarriedoutcommunityengagementandaddressedtheconcernsoflocalpeople.Allactivities,suchasresettlement,l

303、andacquisition,vegetationprotection,andrestoration,wentthroughconsultationsandhearings.In2014,CSAILorganizedaseriesofconsultationsindifferentprojectsitesaspartoftheEnvironmentalandSocialImpactAssessmentprocess.InJanuary2015,about165localrepresentativesattendedpublic

304、hearings,focusingonlandandrelocation,jobopportunities,compensation,andimprovementsinsocialservices(Zhou,2022).TheprojectcompanyalsohiredaThird-Partyagencytocommunicatewithallhouseholdsintheprojectlocationtoevaluatethelandandfixedassets.Itestablishedacommunityliai

305、sonandacomplaintmechanismtorecord,dealwith,andpublicizethecomplaintsandsolutions.Regardingintegrity,CSAILhasstrictlyimplementedPakistansanti-corruptionlawsandregulationsandinternationalanti-corruptionconventions.Duringthesix-yearconstructionprocess,nocorruptioncasewas

306、reportedorfiled.Theprojectisdesignedtogenerate3.2billionkilowatt-hoursofelectricityonceimplementedtomeetthepowerdemandofabout5millionpeopleinPakistanandhelpreduceelectricityprices.Itwillreduce3.5millionmetrictonsofcarbonemissionsannuallyandsavearound1.4

307、milliontonsofstandardcoalequivalentyearly.Duringtheprojectsconstruction,CSAILdonatedmorethan20publicwelfareprojects,suchasschools,hospitals,androadsforlocalcommunities,topromotethedevelopmentofsurroundingcommunities.Inaddition,theprojectcreatedmorethan4,500directa

308、ndindirectlocaljobs(Zhou,2022).Meetinghighenvironmental,social,andgovernancestandardsrequiresdifferentstakeholdersjointandcontinuouseffortsforsuchprojects.Effortsatbothpolicyandpracticallevelsshouldbeencouragedratherthanbeingoverlookedordefamed.6364Case2:China-Myanma

309、rOilandGasPipelineProjectTakingtheChina-Myanmaroilandgaspipelineprojectasanotherexample,thisprojecthassuccessfullyovercomethechallengesofcomplexterrain,ecologicaldiversity,weaksocialsupport,localmaterialprocurement,humanresourceconstraints,andMyanmargovernmenttransf

310、ormationtopipethegasandoil.Moreover,theoverallgoalofzeroaccidents,zeropollution,zerooccupationalinjuries,andzerosocialsafetyincidentshasbeenachievedconsistently,whichhasaccumulatedrichexperienceandcanprovideareferenceforothermajorBRIprojects.Inadditiontothehig

311、hdegreeofattentionfrombothgovernments,thecoreexperienceofprojectsuccessalsoincludesthefollowingaspects:First,adheretotheconceptofopennessandco-constructionandcommercialoperationforstrategicprojects,andfollowthegenerallyacceptedinternationalrulesinprojectconstruc

312、tion,procurement,andoperation.Forexample,theChina-Myanmarnaturalgaspipelineprojectadoptedtheequitystructureinvolvingsixinvestmententitiesfromfourcountries:China,Myanmar,Korea,andIndia.Duringtheconstructionprocess,theprojectselectedoutstandingenterprisesthroughpublicbiddi

313、ng,ensuringthehighqualityofcontractors,suppliers,andpartnerssuchaslegal,auditing,andtaxconsultingagencies,andattachedgreatimportancetotheparticipationofenterprisesinthehostcountry.Second,adheretohighqualityandhighstandardsandintroducestandardsthatallpartiesgenera

314、llysupport.Forexample,theprojectstrictlycompliedwithstandardsrelatedtointernationalpipelineprojectsdevelopedbyorganizationssuchastheAmericanPetroleumInstituteandtheAmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers.ItalsoemployedaThird-Partyengineeringsupervisioncompanytoimple

315、mentfull-processmonitoringofthecontractorsconstructionqualitytocontrolconstructionqualitystrictly.Takingthesystemofthe“trinity”ofhealth,safety,andenvironment(HSE)asthecarrier,theprojectstrictlyimplementedaresponsibilitysystemforsafetyandenvironmentalprotection.Itemplo

316、yedinternationalThird-Partyevaluationagenciestwicetoevaluatetheenvironmentalandsocialimpactsoftheproject.Additionally,itintroducedindependentThird-Partyenvironmentalsupervisiontomonitorandchecktheenvironmentalprotectionandlandrestorationduringtheconstructionprocess.

317、Itformulatedplansforsoilandwaterconservationandecologicalrestorationalongthepipelineaccordingtolocalconditionstorestorethelandformalongthepipelinetothegreatestextentandatfullspeed.6465Third,thecompanysharesdevelopmentbenefitsandfocusesonlocalizedoperationsan

318、dCSR.TheprojecthassubstantiallycontributedtoMyanmarsfiscalrevenuebypayingroadrightsfees,transitfees,taxes,andinvestmentdividends.Ithasprovidedcleanandlow-costenergyforMyanmarslocalindustrialdevelopmentandresidentslivesthroughmeasuressuchasoilandgasunloading.Fou

319、rth,theprojectpaidattentiontothemanagementofpublicrelationsandtransformedfrom“dosomethingbutsaynothing”and“domoreandtalkless”to“domoreandtalkmore.”Duringtheconstructionandoperationoftheproject,someMyanmarmediaandnon-governmentalorganizationsproducedfalsereports

320、andprovocativeattacksontheproject,whichharmedtheprojectandeventhenationalimageofChina.TheChina-Myanmaroilandgaspipelineprojectcompanyrespondedpositively,strengthenedcommunicationwiththeparties,generatedpublicitythroughseveralmediaconferences,mediadays,projectvideo

321、s,andpublicationofCSRreportsinChinese,English,andBurmese,andopenedaFacebookaccountinaBurmeseversion,leadingtotheachievementofpositiveresults.6566InApril2019,theSecondBeltandRoadForumforInternationalCooperationwasheldinBeijing,launchinganewjourneyofthejointco

322、nstructionoftheBeltandRoadwithhighquality.Inthekeynotespeech,PresidentXiJinpingpointedoutthatpartnercountriesshouldworktogetherforhigh-qualitydevelopmentoftheBeltandRoadcooperation,fullyimplementtheprincipleofextensiveconsultation,jointcontributionandsharedben

323、efits,pursueopen,greenandcleancollaboration,andfollowahigh-standard,people-orientedandsustainableapproach(BeltandRoadPortal,2019).Therefore,theconnotationofhigh-qualityBeltandRoadcooperationdevelopmenthasbeenclarified.TheBRIisagreatdevelopmentopportunityforthosecount

324、rieslackinginfrastructureandfunding.However,BRIinvestmentcouldbringaboutmixedESGimpacts.Investorguidance,regulation,andsupportwillbecriticalinmeetingthehighESGstandardsnecessaryforachievingthesustainabledevelopmentofBRIcountriesandtheworld.TheChinesegovernment,hos

325、tcountryCHAPTER6CONCLUSIONactors,internationalorganizations,andfinancialinstitutionsallhaveimportantrolestoplay.Amidagrowingconsensusontransitioningtowardasustainableworld,leadingeconomieshavearticulatedtheirsustainabledevelopmentgoalsandincorporatedthemintonational

326、policymaking.Chinahasputforwardmanylaudablegoalsconcerningitssustainabledevelopment,followedbyconcreteactionplansforvarioussectorsoftheeconomy.RegardingtheimplementationoftheBRI,Chinahasbeenmakingsustainabledevelopmentadjustmentstothegrandschemetomakeitmoreec

327、ologicalandfinancialbyharmonizingnationalESGstandards,sharinggreentechnologies,andimprovingsustainabledevelopmentgovernance.Thisreporthasbeendevelopedforawarenessraising,managementframeworks,andcapacitybuildingtoinspiremorecompaniestotakefirmactionsinalignmentwitht

328、heSDGsandtheTenPrinciplesoftheUNGlobalCompact.Itseekstoencouragemorecompanies6667todevelopsector-andcontext-specificpracticesandtakeactionalignedwiththeSDGs.TheReportsuggeststhatcompaniesparticipatingintheBRIshouldconsidertheseissuesthroughawidenedlensand

329、adoptamoreholisticandstrategicapproachtosustainabilityinfrastructure.Sustainabilityisandshouldbemuchmorethanacosttobusinesses.ESGchallengesalsoallowcompaniestodevelopbusinessopportunitiesinshort-andlong-termbusinessleadership.Somebusinessescontinuetoviewsustaina

330、bilitynegatively,viewingitasaregulatoryburdenandadistractionfromtheircorebusiness.Thisview,however,neglectsthenewmarketopportunities,leadershipstatus,andfinancialreturnsthatinnovativelyaddressingcriticalsustainabilityissuescanbring.Astrategicsustainabilityvisionandc

331、oncomitantpracticesimprovebusinessperformancebyempoweringemployees,attractingtalent,andanticipatingemergingtrends,amongotherbenefits.Immediatebusinessopportunitiesandlonger-termleadershipbuildingcombinetooffercompaniesparticipatingintheBRIastrongimpulsetodevelopamor