May 24, 2022|
JD ESG: JD’s Inclusive Development Enables Equal Footing Participation
by Doris Liu
As highlighted in its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, JD.com is always devoted to boosting inclusive development, embracing more people to participate fully in and benefit from development efforts.
The company helps people in financial hardship, with medical issues or in need of other help, not only via public welfare programs but also by revitalizing rural areas with its digital and technological capabilities.
With its supply chain advantages and solid capabilities in infrastructure construction, JD.com launched the “Benfu Plan” for rural revitalization in October 2020. The plan has been working with more than 1,000 agricultural specialties production zones and agricultural industry belts in China by setting up an all-chain path, realizing an output value of RMB 320 billion yuan as of the end of 2021.
Meanwhile, the company connected to over 500 large-scale vegetable cultivation bases and jointly built more than 70 modernized, standardized, and smart farms with some 700 online pavilions (online stores) for local specialties.
“We continue to increase investment in rural supply chain infrastructure and technology services, opening the whole industrial chain in rural areas, and comprehensively promoting rural revitalization through comprehensive solutions,” stated Richard Liu, chairman of the board of JD.com in his letter accompanying the ESG report.
For instance, Jingxi Farm, a rural revitalization solution launched by JD’s online consumption mall Jingxi, initiated the “Village Empowerment Action”, aimed to reduce the costs of agricultural supplies and improve the efficiency of agricultural services. So far over ten thousand farmers in eight provinces have benefited from the program with an uplift of average yield by 10-20 percent per mu, saving RMB 50-100 yuan per mu every year (a mu=0.0667 hectares).
By increasing millions of farmers’ income substantially through the rural revitalization plan, JD.com also created equal employment opportunities. Among the 300,000 front-line employees, 80 percent are from rural areas who enjoy a stable income , social security insurance and other favorable benefit policies to guarantee their livelihood and career path.
Children in under-developed areas were also helped by JD’s charity affiliate JD Foundation in the forms of donating books, improving their living conditions, and providing various supplies and services worth RMB 967,000 yuan to the SOS Children’s Villages.
More than 67,000 books were donated in a campaign to schools in rural areas in 2021. The donated books, picked up and delivered by JD’s couriers for free, not only cultivate younger generations’ reading habits with access to quality reading material, but also promote recycling for the environment.
In terms of charity support to patients, more than 24,000 patients with rare diseases were able to purchase medicines and obtain medication services from JD Health, and 69 patients with rare diseases were aided under the Rare Disease Care Project.
Created on September 24, 2014, JD Foundation donated over RMB 120 million yuan in 2021. The foundation always adheres to its mission of advocating corporate responsibility for a higher quality of life, and supporting public welfare.
Ranked by FORTUNE as both one of the world’s Most Admired Companies and the Chinese company with the highest “social responsibility” score, JD.com will continue to make contributions to society with business value and social responsibility.
Mar 15, 2024|
JD.com Boosts Trade-In Subsidies and Enhances Service for Household Appliances and Home Goods
JD.com announced on March 14 at the China Household Appliances and Consumer Electronics Expo (AWE2024) that it will invest RMB 3 billion yuan (USD ~420 million) in 2024, in collaboration with its partners, to further improve subsidies and services for customers trading in used home appliances and goods.
The company anticipates that over 20 million users will participate in JD’s trade-in program in 2024, with more than 30 million old appliances and home goods collected through the initiative.
Since launching its trade-in service for household appliances in 2016, JD.com has expanded to include household goods, covering more than 200 subcategories and reaching over 95% of cities and towns across the country.
To simplify the trade-in process, JD.com has implemented several user-friendly measures, such as complimentary doorstep pickup, dismantling, and recycling of old appliances, without limitations on their type, brand, age, or condition. The platform has also adopted a fixed-price deduction model for trade-ins to alleviate shoppers’ concerns.
Moreover, JD.com has led the way in offering trade-in services for home goods and is one of the first to provide integrated dismantling and delivery services for a wide range of appliances and items, including mattresses and electric locks. This comprehensive service model significantly reduces the hassle for consumers by eliminating the need to deal with multiple service providers.
The continuous improvements to JD.com’s trade-in services have earned increasing appreciation from Chinese consumers. In 2023, the platform collected over 15 million old appliances. Since March 2024, participation in JD’s trade-in program has grown by more than 150% year over year.
This initiative aligns with the action plan issued by the State Council of China on March 13th to promote large-scale equipment renewals and trade-ins of consumer goods. The plan focuses on enhancing convenience and streamlining the appliance update process by fostering collaboration among retailers, manufacturers, and recyclers to promote trade-ins, including the establishment of dedicated zones and incentives for trading in old appliances for energy-efficient models.
JD.com is dedicated to serving as a bridge between consumers and manufacturers, working with partners to promote the appliance industry’s high-quality growth, expedite the development of green supply chains, and provide reliable, cost-effective products. By offering comprehensive services and supporting brands, JD.com aims to encourage consumption renewal in the home appliances and goods sector.
Mar 9, 2024|
JD.com Recognized by United Nations Global Compact for Advancing Gender Equality in the Workplace
To mark International Women’s Day, the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, released a new report titled Women at Work: Chinese companies taking action on gender equality on March 8, which highlights JD.com’s commitment to fostering gender equality in its workplace.
The report features a selection of case studies and personal stories from various industries across China, spotlighting exemplary practices and insights gained in advancing gender equality within the workplace. It offers a comprehensive overview of both global and China-specific progress in this arena through an examination of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on SDG 5: Gender Equality. Additionally, the report provides actionable gender equality roadmaps and essential resources for businesses, encouraging them to play a pivotal role in the collective journey towards achieving SDG 5.
Commenting on the report’s release, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said: “In our ongoing journey toward achieving gender equality, it’s inspiring to see the commitment and innovative approaches detailed in Women at Work. During a recent visit to China, I witnessed firsthand the dynamic discussions and unwavering dedication among business leaders to advance this cause. This report is not just a reflection of current practices but a call to action for companies worldwide to amplify their efforts in fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces. This report underscores the urgency and importance of building a more gender-inclusive business landscape.”
JD.com is honored to be the first Chinese company visited by Ms. Ojiambo during her China trip, in which she met JD’s first female CEO, Sandy Xu, and gained insights into the company’s rich history and its commitment to SDGs in green supply chain, responsible consumption, and gender equality, among others.
A Shining Example of Empowerment
The report highlights the story of Han Xue, a customer service representative and mother living with a disability. She is a member of JD.com’s “Sunshine Angels” program, which provides online customer service job opportunities to people with disabilities. In her interview, Han said, “This job has not only allowed me to help others and forge friendships, but it also helped me regain confidence and zest for life.”
Han stressed the importance of striking a balance between work and family life, adding, “I aspire to be an optimistic and content mother.” She highlighted JD.com’s supportive environment, which recognizes and rewards her contributions, enabling her to excel professionally while being a devoted parent.JD’s “Sunshine Angels” initiative, launched in 2013, currently comprises around 100 members, with women constituting 70% of the core team. With plans to expand this initiative to 500 members, JD.com aims to provide more employment opportunities and development avenues for female employees and individuals with disabilities
A Win-Win Pursuit
Han’s story is a testament to JD.com’s commitment to nurturing a supportive workplace culture that facilitates the growth and success of all its employees. With nearly 620,000 employees, JD.com believes that offering tailored support to female employees and their families is mutually beneficial for the company. The company has undertaken substantial, measurable efforts in relevant areas, such as establishing a RMB 10 billion housing fund, providing childcare resources, offering comprehensive maternity benefits, and expanding its employee relief fund. These efforts propelled JD.com to become the first Chinese company in its industry selected for Bloomberg’s 2023 Gender Equality Index, underscoring its dedication to gender equality and sustainable employee development.
Moreover, as a company with both digital and real economy capabilities, JD.com offers diverse career opportunities for female employees, particularly opportunities in STEM fields, spanning digital industry services, research and development, internet healthcare, and more. Last year, the company also appointed a Chief Diversity Officer, further enhancing the environment for employee growth and development.
According to Zhang Pang, Chief Human Resources Officer at JD.com, prioritizing employee development is paramount. By fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment with long-term development opportunities, JD.com aims to generate greater value for both the company and society.
Aligning ESG Strategies with SDGs
JD.com’s ESG Director Li Yi who is also interviewed in the report highlighted the challenges and opportunities in advancing gender equality and underscored JD.com’s participation in the UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Accelerator program in 2022 and the company’s commitment to the “Forward Faster” initiative in 2023, with a special focus on gender equality.
Li Yi shared, “Our involvement with the UN Global Compact has empowered us with a more profound sense of purpose, driving us to encourage business engagement in fostering women’s economic empowerment and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within the UN framework.”
JD.com Releases 2021 ESG Report
