原国家质检总局总工程师刘兆彬：以创新对冲绿色溢价，建言社会共治、共担、共享

Core Viewpoint - The main challenge in advancing ESG and green low-carbon transformation globally and in China is the "green premium," which refers to the additional costs incurred. Innovation is essential to offset the short-term cost pressures associated with ESG practices [1][2]. Group 1: ESG Costs and Innovations - The costs associated with ESG initiatives include carbon emissions, carbon footprint, energy conservation, and emissions reduction data detection costs, as well as costs for updating production equipment, management, research and development, and compliance. These costs also encompass time, material, and transaction costs [1]. - To achieve sustainable high-quality development, it is crucial to find the optimal balance between costs and benefits in ESG and green low-carbon transformation [1]. - Innovations can drive green development in several areas, including product and category innovation, equipment and facility innovation, process and material innovation, production method innovation, and organizational, institutional, and procedural innovation [1]. Group 2: Cost Classification and Social Responsibility - ESG-related costs can be categorized into rigid costs and flexible costs. Rigid costs arise from legal regulations that set baseline requirements for high-emission, high-pollution, and high-waste enterprises. Flexible costs occur when companies exceed the minimum standards and strive for higher benchmarks, generating positive externalities and social spillover effects beneficial to society [1]. - The responsibility for these flexible costs should not rest solely on companies, as the benefits of ecological and social efficiency are shared across society [2]. Group 3: Policy Recommendations - It is essential to establish an incentive mechanism for ESG and green low-carbon initiatives, involving the entire society in cost-sharing and governance. This includes developing policies, regulations, mechanisms, and systems in areas such as finance, taxation, trade, bidding, and the business environment to support companies that actively promote ESG and social responsibility [2].