On 15 December, the 6th China Petroleum and Chemical Enterprises Sustainable Development Forum was successfully held , jointly hosted by East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) School of Business, Alumni Association, JLT Network Technology Co., Ltd and Suzhou Zhongneng Dingli Electronic Commerce Co.,Ltd. With the theme of "ESG Drives Low Carbon and High Quality Development", the forum attracted more than 200 elite petrochemical enterprises, traders, financial institutions, investment institutions, and management representatives of chemical parks to gather at the site.

LIU Shunda, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Datang Corporation, WANG Zhongying, former Director of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and an expert member of the Fourth National Climate Change Expert Committee, HUANG Haixin, Founder and Co-Chairman of JLC Network Technology Co, and ZANG Huawen, chairman of Suzhou Zhongneng Dingli Science Technology Co, participated in the forum. Prof. YAN Haifeng, vice president of ECUST, attended the forum and delivered a speech. Prof. MA Tieju, dean of ECUST School of Business, presided over the opening ceremony.

Prof. YAN Haifeng said that ESG has become a consensus as the global climate change problem is getting increasingly serious. Petrochemical industry, as a pillar industry of the national economy, should strengthen ESG construction. East China University of Science and Technology has solid disciplinary foundation and rich research outcomes in the field of petrochemical industry, especially in low carbon technology, clean production and other aspects.

HUANG Haixin said that JLC empowers China's petrochemical enterprises to make business decisions and helps them to transform into digital intelligence and low-carbon sustainable development. In the future, it will continue to plough into the petrochemical industry chain and contribute to the low-carbon sustainable development of China's petroleum and chemical enterprises.

LIU Shunda delivered a keynote speech on the topic of "Information-led System Efficiency Modernisation", elaborating on the current situation and future trends in the petrochemical industry, and introducing a new path to promote green development and achieve the dual-carbon goal driven by information technology.

WANG Zhongying delivered a keynote speech on "Energy Transition Outlook of China ", pointing out that promoting the transformation of the energy system and the development of a green and low-carbon economy have become important strategic choices for China's sustainable development.

Prof. MA Tieju and ZANG Huawen jointly unveiled the Carbon Neutral and Green Chemical Industry Research Centre. The centre is jointly initiated by ECUST School of Business, ECUST School of Chemical Engineering and Suzhou Zhongneng Dingli Science and Technology Co., Ltd., aiming to promote the research related to carbon neutrality and green chemical industry in China through the integration of industry, academia and research and to contribute to the global response to climate change.

The forum centred on the two themes of "Macro Situation and Policy Interpretation" and "Challenges and Opportunities, Changes and Paths". ZANG Huawen, Prof. ZHU Junming, Associate Dean of School of Public Administration, Tsinghua University, WANG Zhuqi, Director of Chemical Research and Consulting, JLT, BIN Hui, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, WU Hao, Director of Low Carbon Centre of Sinopec Petrochemical Research Institute Co. GONG Wanbin, founder of EPD Promotion Centre and chairman of its technical committee, WAN Xing, partner of Tongshang Law Firm, Prof. XIU Guangli, Chair of School Council of School of ECUST School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, and Prof. MA Tieju, Dean of ECUST School of Business all delivered keynote speeches. Prof. JIANG Zhiqiang, Deputy Secretary of the School Council, and Prof. SHAO Shuai, Vice Dean of the School of Business, presided over the forum.

Since 2015, ECUST have successfully held six sessions of China Petroleum and Chemical Enterprises Sustainable Development Forum, with more than 3,000 guests from Sinopec, CNOOC, BASF, Huayi, Solvay, Cabot, DuPont, and other well-known enterprises, as well as government, universities and research institutions, with more than 100 experts and scholars delivering speeches, and nearly 100 media widely participating in the coverage. China Petroleum and Chemical Enterprises Sustainable Development Forum has become an important bench-marking event leading the development of the petrochemical industry, with extensive industry and social influence. ECUST will respond to the needs of the times and continue to maintain close cooperation with all walks of life, and work together to promote the innovative application of ESG concepts and practices, and boost the improvement of environmental, social, and governance capabilities.