Most Chinese enterprises are proactive in managing and combating climate change. More and more enterprises are predicted to take the initiative to disclose their carbon information data, according to a report from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

The 2013 China CDP Report is released in Beijing on Nov. 15. [Photo/China.org.cn/Gong Yingchun]

A survey of 100 listed Chinese companies with the largest market values disclosed that 69 percent have appointed an individual or committee to be responsible for climate change management; 63 percent have actively taken climate change into consideration when designing, developing and using new products or services.

The 2013 China CDP Report expresses satisfaction at the practical measures that Chinese companies have taken to reduce carbon emissions, given that 50 percent of responding companies have incorporated responses to climate change into their corporate business strategy, including green procurement, green credit loans as well as green buildings.

Now, as one case in point, the report discussed how the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) strictly controls the credit-loan access for enterprises characterized by "high pollution, high energy consumption and excess production capacity," and gives preferential policies to leading and eco-friendly enterprises.

However, the report did point out that the proportion of Chinese companies which have set emission reduction targets remains small.

"Most Chinese listed companies are conservative in disclosing their carbon information," an environmentalist said during the report launch ceremony on Nov. 15. "There are 212 listed companies in Beijing, ranking second nationwide, but only 12 companies disclose their carbon emissions regularly," he said. He also pointed out that the total number of companies involved in the Carbon Disclosure Project is still very small, although an increasing figure does intend to take action.

The report also noted that the reduction of carbon emissions would lead to higher costs for companies in the short run, but in the long term, low carbon development will strengthen innovation in green technology and promote sustainable development.

The 2013 China CDP Report is based on a questionnaire sent out to China's 100 largest companies by market capitalization based on the Financial Times and Stock Exchange (FTSE) China A600 and the FTSE All World Asia Pacific indexes. This year, 32 of these companies responded; nine more than in 2012.

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