Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation

In spring 2026, the Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) has been awarded the title of "Advanced Collective" for "Driving the Economy to a New Level in Scale and Quality (Building a High-level Innovative City Across the Board)".

Since its establishment in November 2023, CRBI has positioned itself around "responsible business and sustainable innovation", adhering to the principle of "developing, delivering, and serving simultaneously". It has rapidly forged ahead in fields such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research, standard formulation, talent development, and international resource linkage. In just over two years, it has produced a series of practical results that are implementable, replicable, and support local high-quality development. This award of "Advanced Collective" is not only a high recognition of the Centre's deep engagement in the region and service to sustainable development, but also an affirmation of its value in empowering industrial transformation and boosting urban innovation through practical work, highlighting the unique role of university research institutions in sustainable economic and social development.

In Autumn 2026, the "EmpowerChain: Youth Sustainability Accelerator" project launched by CRBI team has been acknowledged as a 2025 Flagship Project (Youth-Led Category) by the United Nations University (UNU). This prestigious recognition is especially significant as it was awarded less than a year after RCE Ningbo's official launch, underscoring the centre's exceptional impact and making it one of the fastest RCEs globally to receive such an honour. This award-winning initiative has developed a full-cycle enabling platform spanning knowledge exchange, contextual engagement and practical implementation. Meanwhile, it fosters in-depth collaboration between young people, academia, industry and local communities in sustainable development practices, effectively addressing Ningbo’s practical demands for the green transformation of its manufacturing sector and specialist talent for sustainable development.

Commissioned by the Ningbo Development and Reform Commission, this research project focuses on conducting continuous evaluation and tracking of the urban ESG assessment system, compiling the Ningbo High-Quality ESG Development Report, and establishing a visual and quantifiable ESG evaluation index system for urban development. Through the continuous improvement of urban ESG evaluation, the project aims to promote comprehensive upgrades in urban industrial structure, urban-rural development, ecological environment, common prosperity development, and technological innovation.

On 13 November 2024, the group standard "Evaluation specification for environmental, social and governance (ESG) of manufacturing enterprises" was successfully released and implemented. Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), Expert Committee of Ningbo Intelligent Manufacturing Association, Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables Co. Ltd., and Ningbo Zhedong Environment and Energy Exchange (ZDEAEE) jointly formed a standards-drafting team. This group standard is under the jurisdiction of Ningbo Energy Conservation Association and Ningbo Intelligent Manufacturing Association, which are also responsible for its implementation.

On 25 November 2023, the forum on "Achieving Sustainable Futures: Innovation, Collaboration, and Action," along with the Unveiling Ceremony of the Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) & Donation Ceremony, was successfully held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The establishment of the CRBI is a significant response by UNNC to global environmental challenges and the promotion of a sustainable future.