Industry Overview: Innovation and Value Chain Reconstruction - The internet education sector has evolved through various stages, including remote education and intelligent teaching, transitioning from simple online videos to interactive live streaming and adaptive learning systems [1] - The value chain encompasses upstream technology support (AI, big data), midstream content production (course development, platform operation), and downstream user services (C-end learners, B-end institutional cooperation), forming a "technology-content-service" closed loop [1] ESG Development: Core Issues and Practice Differences Disclosure Status and Policy Direction - Domestic internet education companies are in the early stages of ESG disclosure, with leading firms like Zhonggong Education and NetDragon beginning to publish social responsibility reports, but overall transparency is lower than in Europe and the US [2] - China has introduced regulations emphasizing data security and educational equity, while Europe and the US have strengthened ESG compliance requirements through regulations like GDPR and SFDR [2] Core Issues Analysis - Environmental (E): Focus on data center energy consumption management, reduction of paper materials, and carbon footprint accounting. For example, NetEase Youdao promotes electronic textbooks to reduce paper usage [3] - Social (S): Issues include educational equity (bridging the urban-rural digital divide), user rights (refund dispute handling), and technology ethics (AI algorithm bias). Initiatives like the "Rural Revitalization Talent Training Program" aim to cover remote areas with live courses [3] - Governance (G): Emphasis on data security (user information protection), business ethics (false advertising regulation), and supply chain management (compliance of third-party partners). For instance, VIPKID has established a user data encryption system [3] Domestic and International Practice Differences - Disclosure focus: Domestic companies emphasize social welfare (e.g., rural education support), while European and American firms focus on environmental performance (e.g., carbon reduction targets) and governance structures (e.g., board diversity) [4] - Technology application: Foreign companies have adopted blockchain for degree certification earlier (e.g., MIT digital certificates), while domestic firms focus on AI supervision and adaptive learning system development [5] - Policy drive: The EU pushes for green transformation through carbon tariffs, while domestic platforms are guided by "dual carbon" goals for energy-saving renovations [6] Practical Cases: Diverse Paths and Innovative Models Khan Academy: Public Welfare-Oriented Global Inclusivity - ESG highlights include 100% free courses covering over 200 countries, a near-zero carbon footprint, and the use of open-source technology platforms with fully transparent data [7] Zhonggong Education: Integration of ESG in Vocational Education - Environmental: Optimizing energy consumption in offline campuses and promoting online live streaming to reduce commuting carbon emissions [9] - Social: Conducting "Employment Assistance Programs" with over 1 million annual training sessions to support stable employment [10] - Governance: Establishing an independent ESG committee and regularly disclosing supply chain audit reports to ensure compliance in areas like textbook printing and technology outsourcing [11] NetDragon: Sustainable Development through Technology Empowerment - Environmental: Investing in "green data centers" with energy consumption reduced by 40% compared to traditional centers [12] - Social: Donating "smart classrooms" to underdeveloped areas to bridge the digital divide and developing a "silver education platform" to address aging society needs [13] - Governance: Establishing an AI ethics review mechanism to avoid algorithm discrimination and collaborating with UNESCO to set global digital education standards [14] Challenges and Recommendations: Building a Sustainable Development Ecosystem Existing Challenges - Environmental: High energy consumption of data centers and lack of industry carbon accounting standards [15] - Social: Frequent user privacy breaches and mismatches in vocational education supply and demand leading to varied training outcomes [16] - Governance: Lack of a unified ESG disclosure framework, with some companies treating ESG as a marketing tool rather than a strategic core [17] Countermeasures and Suggestions - Environmental management: Promote green data center certification and establish industry carbon footprint accounting systems; encourage the adoption of electronic textbooks and low-carbon office practices [18] - Social value: Government and enterprises should jointly build an "Educational Equity Fund" to support rural digital education; improve user complaint handling mechanisms and introduce third-party supervision [19] - Governance optimization: Develop industry ESG disclosure guidelines based on international standards (e.g., GRI, TCFD) and incorporate ESG into corporate performance evaluations to strengthen board oversight responsibilities [20] Future Outlook - The internet education industry should integrate ESG principles into technological innovation and business models, focusing on data security and educational equity in the short term, promoting green transformation and governance upgrades in the medium term, and building a "technology for good, social benefit, and environmentally friendly" ecosystem in the long term to achieve a dual enhancement of economic and social value [21]