Core Insights - ESG has become a core issue for high-quality development of A-share listed companies amid deepening global sustainable development agendas and strengthening domestic and international regulatory policies [1][16] - A-share ESG practices in 2024 show strong policy-driven momentum, gradual deepening of practices, but still have shortcomings [1][2] Policy Landscape - The domestic regulatory framework for ESG is continuously improving, with ESG being incorporated into national strategic frameworks and mandatory disclosures set to begin in 2026 for certain companies [1][18] - International standards such as ISSB and CSRD are promoting standardized disclosures, while major overseas markets are tightening compliance requirements for cross-border operations [1][23] Practice Performance - There is a positive correlation between ESG practices and corporate value, with significant relationships observed between ESG ratings and return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) [1][38] - The disclosure rate of sustainability reports reached 45.85%, a significant increase from the previous year, with larger market capitalization and state-owned enterprises showing a stronger willingness to disclose [1][2] Strategic and Governance Aspects - Only 9.31% of listed companies fully articulate their ESG strategies, with 82% lacking any related strategy, indicating a predominance of basic-level practices and a scarcity of excellence [2][18] - Governance structure establishment rate is at 34.84%, with board-led governance becoming mainstream, but linking ESG to executive compensation remains concentrated in specific industries [2][18] Risk and Opportunity Management - 71.84% of companies conduct ESG risk identification, with industrial and information technology sectors being high-risk areas, yet only 32% identify climate-related risks and opportunities [2][18] - The application rate of scenario analysis is below 14%, indicating weak capability in opportunity identification [2][18] Sector-Specific Developments - Sustainable supply chain management is gradually advancing, with over 20% of suppliers in most industries establishing ESG assessment mechanisms [2][18] - Human resource management focuses on diversity, inclusion, and health safety, with an average female employee ratio of 33.2% [2][18] - The sustainable finance market is steadily developing, with green bonds as a core pillar and the scale of ESG public funds and bank wealth management gradually recovering [2][18] Overall Assessment - The development of ESG in A-shares has transitioned from conceptual advocacy to institutional implementation, yet challenges remain in strategic system completeness, uneven disclosure quality, and insufficient depth in specific practices [2][18] - Future efforts should focus on strengthening policy coordination, improving governance mechanisms, and enhancing data credibility to transform ESG from compliance costs into long-term competitive advantages [2][18]