ZTE has recently been named to the "2023 China ESG Influential List" released by Fortune in recognition of its outstanding efforts in green development, social responsibility and corporate governance. This is the company’s second entry onto the list; it previously made it in 2022.
The "2023 China ESG Influential List" is Fortune's second after its first launch last year. The honored companies cover a wide range of industries, with most being top players in their respective fields. This fully demonstrates that and investors maintain both confidence and enthusiasm for ESG as a business philosophy.
In terms of green development, ZTE has been proactively participating in global decarbonization. The company has reduced the carbon footprint of its wireless sites, equipment rooms and data center facilities by improving product energy efficiency, introducing intelligent photovoltaic systems, intelligent lithium storage and other green energy measures, thereby achieving over 14% year-on-year product energy efficiency enhancement and a 4.9% year-on-year reduction in total emissions for the use of sold products in 2022. Harnessing the benefits of models such as intelligent manufacturing powered by 5G and dark factories, the company has registered a 9.3% reduction in carbon emissions from the production of single products. ZTE was awarded the Environment Leadership Award by CDP China in 2022 and was named on CDP's 2022 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for its outstanding performance in mitigating climate change.
In terms of social responsibility, ZTE has been actively engaging in actions around the world in the areas of employer brand building and public welfare. On employer branding, ZTE holds talent as its cornerstone; adheres to the core values of mutual respect, hard work and innovation; actively promotes globalization and localization of talents; and builds a talent team of digital intelligence. The company cares for women in the workplace and fosters the positive energy and happiness of its female employees. Because of this focus, Forbes has recognized ZTE as one of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies 2022.
On public welfare, ZTE has been actively carrying out community welfare and rescue operations around the world and continuously practicing corporate social responsibility. In 2022, ZTE initiated 65 public welfare programs in education, healthcare and rural revitalization. It has also set up "Public Welfare Holidays" to support employees who provide voluntary services, including caring for children without mothers, cleanup of the mountainside and park areas, and accompanying autistic children in art therapy, with a total of more than 100,000 people served through 248 voluntary service activities.
In terms of corporate governance, ZTE has developed the Data Compliance System (DCS) as a unified entry for external user data management and a digitalized carrier for internal data compliance operations and governance. In addition, ZTE is always committed to high standards of ethics and integrity in global business activities, abiding by applicable anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations.
ZTE adheres to the values of integrity and transparency in its interactions with business associates and governments to ensure ZTE's compliance operation. Meanwhile, ZTE also demonstrates its determination and confidence in anti-corruption and anti-bribery compliance to shareholders, customers, employees, and other partners through various compliance communication activities, obtaining compliance certifications from multiple international standards, and receiving recognition from third-party authoritative organizations. In 2022, ZTE realized the progress of the company's compliance management system moving from an effective one to an effortless and intuitive compliance system through the optimization of compliance policies and rules, internal business process transformation and digital intelligence upgrade of IT systems, as well as compliance management system toolkits.
In recent years, ZTE has been recognized by multiple parties for its ESG and sustainability achievements. As a member of the UN Global Compact and Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), ZTE has been selected as a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series and has claimed the "Annual Responsibility Governance" award at the China CSR Annual Forum and the "Contribution to Sustainable Development" award from Caijing Magazine in 2022.
Moving forward, ZTE will remain committed to its role as a driver of the digital economy, actively fulfill its commitment to green and low-carbon development and practice the social responsibility of a technology enterprise, helping build a brighter future with digital intelligence and achieve sustainable development around the globe.