Recently, UN Women China and the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) of the Central University of Finance and Economics jointly released the research report “Gender in ESG Disclosure Among Commercial Banks in China: Evidence from 32 A-Share Listed Commercial Bank” (published in both Chinese and English). The report offers a comprehensive assessment of how Chinese listed commercial banks incorporate gender considerations into ESG and sustainability disclosures. It is the first study in China to benchmark banks’ gender-related disclosures using quantitative analysis combined with advanced text analytics.
The report introduces a baseline framework for gender-related ESG disclosure in China’s banking sector. Examining four areas—Environment (E), Social (S), Governance (G), and other business practices—it maps the current level of integration of gender issues across banks and highlights key gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Overall, the findings show that gender-related disclosure by Chinese commercial banks is still at an early stage, with wide variation in practices, limited depth, and a lack of consistent methodologies. Governance (G) is the most developed area, with disclosures commonly covering board gender composition, equal pay for equal work, and anti-discrimination commitments. This reflects both regulatory priorities and the relatively high measurability of governance indicators. In contrast, gender considerations are largely absent from the Environment (E) dimension. Green finance and climate risk frameworks continue to focus on decarbonization, energy transition, and financial stability, with little attention to gender-differentiated impacts, and with insufficient gender-disaggregated data and assessment tools. Within the Social (S) dimension, disclosures tend to concentrate on the share of female employees and corporate philanthropy, while family-friendly workplace policies—such as parental leave and flexible working arrangements—receive far less attention. Industry-wide standards in this area have yet to emerge. In terms of other business practices, the report finds almost no systematic disclosure on the gender equality impacts of banks’ investment portfolios. Although some banks offer financial products targeted at women, these initiatives are generally limited to retail banking and have not yet evolved into fully “gender-responsive” approaches across lending and investment activities.
Based on these findings, the report puts forward a set of practical policy recommendations. These include integrating gender impact assessments into green finance projects under the Environment (E) pillar; strengthening family-friendly workplaces through equal pay, parental leave, anti-discrimination measures, and support for women’s career development under the Social (S) pillar; setting clear, measurable targets and accountability mechanisms aligned with international gender standards under Governance (G); and expanding gender-responsive investment portfolios and financial products, supported by stronger impact measurement and capacity building under the other business practices pillar.
The report provides a valuable reference point for Chinese financial institutions seeking to embed a gender perspective more systematically into ESG disclosure. It also offers evidence-based insights for regulators, investors, and international organizations on the progress made—and challenges remaining—in advancing gender equality through finance in China.
Looking ahead, IIGF will continue to collaborate with UN Women and other partners to deepen the integration of gender equality into green and sustainable finance, contributing Chinese research and experience to more inclusive and sustainable development pathways.