-TCL is a company that acts: integrating ESG criteria to generate a positive impact throughout the global value chain
Li Dongsheng, founder and president of TCL, in an in-depth dialogue with the United Nations Global Compact
/PRNewswire/ — Li Dongsheng, Founder and Chairman of TCL, recently participated in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) “ESG+20 Sustainability Leaders” interview series. During the session, he spoke with Liu Meng, director of TCL’s China office. Li shared how TCL implements ESG principles in its global operations, drives green and low-carbon transformation, and promotes coordinated development across its entire industrial chain. The conversation also highlighted how TCL invests in communities across its global value chain to contribute to mutually beneficial outcomes.
TCL CSOT Wetland Park
Regarding green and carbon reduction practices, Li noted that manufacturing is a major consumer of energy and that companies must innovate in production technologies, processes and workflows to achieve energy savings. For example, TCL CSOT implemented multiple energy-saving measures in its manufacturing operations in 2024, achieving electricity savings of 220,000 MWh. In October 2025, the company announced the construction of a printed OLED production line designed to significantly reduce energy consumption compared to traditional vacuum evaporation processes, thereby reducing carbon emissions at source. On the product front, TCL’s energy-efficient FreshIN air conditioner was awarded the “AI Energy-Saving Technology Gold Award” at IFA 2025 in Berlin for its eco-friendly design that reduces carbon footprint. At the industrial level, TCL Zhonghuan supports the global development of clean energy with its core products and contributes to the transformation of global energy infrastructure.
As a leading company in its industrial chain, TCL, through TCL Industries and TCL Technology, has constantly encouraged its partners, both upstream and downstream, to implement ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles. The company has established requirements for its suppliers that cover the protection of labor rights and operational compliance, promoting responsible practices throughout the value chain.
Li highlighted that, in its global expansion, TCL operates with the highest standards by navigating various regulatory environments. From acquiring Thomson’s color television business and Alcatel’s mobile phone business in 2004 to establishing manufacturing bases in Mexico and Vietnam, TCL has evolved from exporting products to co-developing local industrial capabilities. Sustainability principles are integrated into its global operations, generating value for local economies and communities, as well as its employees.
“For advanced manufacturing, technological innovation is the most critical core capability,” Li said. TCL invests approximately RMB 12 billion (about US$1.74 billion) annually in R&D and has accumulated 124,000 patents, including nearly 20,000 PCT patents. In recent years, TCL has integrated large AI models into its smart manufacturing systems, improving efficiency and quality and shortening R&D cycles. In 2024, these initiatives generated RMB 530 million (about US$76.8 million) in economic benefits for TCL CSOT.
Li emphasized that the essence of brand reputation lies in fulfilling social responsibility and earning consumer trust. TCL has fully incorporated ESG criteria into the business strategies and annual plans of all its business units and publishes ESG reports annually, demonstrating transparency and accountability. In 2025, TCL also became a World Olympic and Paralympic Partner, giving it significant visibility in the global market. That year, its sales in the European market increased by 30%, reflecting the mutually reinforcing relationship between commercial performance and social value.
Since officially joining the United Nations Global Compact in July 2024, TCL has committed to supporting the organization’s Ten Principles on human rights, labour, the environment and the fight against corruption, and to actively advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
From reducing its own energy consumption and emissions to strengthening supply chain collaboration, and from maintaining the highest global standards to driving green development through technological innovation and building responsible brands, TCL has adopted a proactive mindset and fully integrated ESG criteria into its corporate strategy.
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