Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-12-13 23:11Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices among Chinese beauty companies, highlighting their commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility through innovative practices and reporting [2][3]. Group 1: ESG Practices and Reporting - The "Sustainable Innovation Laboratory" by Southern Metropolis Daily is collaborating with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics to evaluate and recognize outstanding ESG practices among companies, culminating in the release of the "2025 ESG Sustainable Innovation Trend Insight Report" [3]. - Major Chinese beauty companies, including Up Beauty, Proya, and Huaxi Biological, are increasingly focusing on "green packaging" as a key ESG issue, with a consensus emerging on carbon reduction and product circular consumption [3][4]. - Proya has provided detailed disclosures regarding its green packaging initiatives, including a 20% increase in sustainable materials and a 15% reduction in packaging usage intensity [4]. Group 2: Specific Initiatives by Companies - Up Beauty has implemented eight guidelines for sustainable packaging, including using FSC-certified paper and eco-friendly inks, while Huaxi Biological has improved packaging processes to minimize waste [4]. - Beitaini reported a significant increase in its bottle recycling program, achieving 2.67 million bottles recycled in 2024, which is eight times the amount from 2023 [5]. - L'Oréal has committed to ensuring that 100% of its plastic packaging is refillable, reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, promoting refillable options for its products [6]. Group 3: Emerging Trends in ESG Reporting - Chinese beauty companies are beginning to incorporate "Chinese characteristics" into their ESG narratives, such as employee welfare initiatives and rural revitalization projects [7][8]. - The trend of "pure beauty" is gaining traction, with companies focusing on the safety and transparency of product ingredients, responding to consumer demand for cleaner products [14][15]. - Companies are increasingly establishing anti-corruption mechanisms, with some, like Mao Geping, including anti-corruption training in their ESG reports [10]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - There is a notable lack of quantifiable targets in ESG reporting among Chinese beauty companies, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable sourcing [16][19]. - The complexity of supply chains poses challenges for accurate carbon emission reporting, with many companies struggling to obtain reliable data from suppliers [19]. - The regulatory environment in China is less stringent compared to Western markets, leading to a reliance on voluntary commitments rather than mandatory compliance for ESG goals [19].