韓国と日本のESGやSDGsへの社会的関心や実態研究―2023年７月を基準として―

Abstract

The global challenge we are currently facing is ESG and the SDGs that can be reached through it. This study examines social interests in ESG and SDGs in Korea and Japan as of July 2023. In addition, the connection between ESG and SDGs and the status of ESG were analyzed through ESG-related articles (30 articles from each country) and future directions are suggested. A more objective and diachronic analysis is possible through comparison with the status in Japan and the previous year. In the past 2-3 years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of ESG-related data and articles in Korea, but there is a problem with the reliability of the articles. The number of academic papers is only 1/2 that of Japan, and they also lag behind in terms of timing. In Korea, unlike the previous year, when the company’s “ESG ratings and awards” were the main focus, “ESG implementation and ESG reports” are the main focus. The overuse of terms such as “ESG culture and ESG tourism” is noticeable and may cause a risk of ESG washing. According to the analysis on the articles, E (environmental) has decreased and S (social) has increased, but the focus is on “local co-prosperity and donation.” Moreover, G (governance) is at a standstill. In the future, efforts must be made to change the phenomenon of focusing on areas that are easy to practice and to solve fundamental problems. Above all, balance among ESG factors is needed, and efforts at the national level are required to improve awareness of ESG and SDGs and to ensure that ESG and SDGs are effectively linked.