Environmental commitment is empty, criticism is just a step

We look forward to the early completion of rectification by these enterprises that have been notified, and the return of clear waters and blue skies to the local people; I also hope that relevant localities and departments can reflect seriously, strengthen supervision in accordance with legal requirements, and no longer become a protective umbrella for polluting enterprises.

Eleven listed companies have been criticized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for failing to rectify their serious environmental problems on time (see attached list for details in our report on the 26th). As soon as the news was published, some "listed" companies and related places are not burying themselves in rectification, but are using all their efforts in public relations and complaining.

The reasons for public relations and complaints sound grandiose: as a listed company, our environmental protection level is higher than that of ordinary enterprises, and polluting enterprises are everywhere. The Ministry of Environmental Protection should not take action against them first; The corporate image of listed companies directly affects stock price fluctuations and investor confidence. When the stock market is in a downturn, is it inappropriate to let them "show off" to the public? Some relevant departments in the locations of listed companies have also stepped forward as "lobbyists", using excuses such as "historical * * issues" to plead for justice for the companies.

Excuses cannot cover up the truth. Some companies that are considered industry leaders and have entered the capital market have such terrible environmental behaviors - violating environmental impact assessment laws by building without approval, discharging sewage directly, exceeding pollutant discharge standards, and even delaying sewage fees for a long time. Any environmental violations that can be imagined can be found in them. There are many former "star stocks" among the companies that have been reported, and it can be said that this report has shown investors the ugly side of them.

Looking back at the frequent environmental accidents in recent years, from the pollution of the Tuojiang River to the pollution of the Songhua River, from the chromium slag disaster to the rampant lead dust, there are some listed companies behind them. As public enterprises, listed companies should shoulder greater social responsibilities. However, some listed companies not only ignore these social responsibilities, but also blatantly violate environmental laws and regulations.

The environmental problems of the 11 listed companies are certainly caused by the long-term lack of corporate compliance awareness and social responsibility. However, the long-term existence of improper environmental behavior by enterprises has also raised many questions: why can the unapproved construction still "get on the bus" in the end, and why can't the overdue sewage fees be recovered?

It is undeniable that most listed companies are important pillars of local finance. Moving such a 'money tree' not only damages the local money bag, but also affects the official hat. So, although some companies have long-term environmental violations, some local governments turn a blind eye, and some even harbor and condone them, becoming a "protective talisman" for these companies. From this perspective, the accumulation of environmental problems in enterprises is difficult to reverse, and the responsibility lies in the misleading development concepts of local governments.