China gets CSR index

Forty companies have been listed in China’s first corporate responsibility index, which focuses mainly on businesses in the environment field.

Experts who have participated in compiling the Taida Environmental Index, as it is known, have said the main aim is to evaluate listed companies’ social responsibilities.

Although at present the index lags behind the overall market, they believe companies that sacrifice some short-term benefits will see a slow increase in their performance and stock price.

The result, they say, will be approval from the government and consumers for companies’ social responsibility attitudes and more opportunities for sustainable development.