On June 16, 2026, the German Chamber of Commerce in China hosted the ESG Day in Shanghai and officially launched the ‘ESG Practices of German Companies in China 2026’ report. The report, jointly published with DEKRA, draws on applications to the 2025 “More Than A Market” awards to offer practical insights for companies advancing ESG in China.
Key findings
- ESG is moving from a CSR exercise to a strategic priority: an increasing number of German companies in China are integrating sustainability into core corporate strategy and long-term planning.
- ESG as a business driver: ESG measures are contributing to business growth by improving resource efficiency, strengthening supply-chain resilience and enhancing brand reputation.
- SMEs and the “green passport”: for German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China, robust ESG management is becoming an essential “green passport” for accessing global supply chains. The report offers practical guidance on building ESG systems to mitigate compliance risk and create competitive differentiation.
About the report and methodology
First published in 2024 and issued biennially, the report analyses 106 exemplary practice cases submitted by 71 German companies operating in China. Cases cover the Environmental, Social and Governance dimensions and were selected for their practical relevance and potential for replication across sectors. The study combines frontline corporate practice, cross-industry comparison and actionable recommendations intended to support businesses in embedding ESG into operations and strategy.
