The Practical Dilemma and Relief of ESG Compliance in the Construction Industry Under the “Dual Carbon” Strategy in China

Against the backdrop of the deepening “dual carbon” strategy and the globalization of ESG investment, China’s construction industry, an important key carbon-emitting sector, faces a “triple institutional dilemma”. It includes high carbon lock-in, human capital alienation, and an ambiguous governance structure. Current research on the practical paths of ESG compliance and its localized adaptation in this industry remains limited. Drawing on the green transformation theory, this study systematically explores the theoretical logic, realistic picture, and breakthrough path of ESG compliance in the industry. Firstly, it clarifies the connotation of ESG compliance and maps out the industry’s policy framework and practical patterns. Secondly, it analyzes core dilemmas from three dimensions: environmental constraints related to technical pathways, social conflicts between labor and community arising from institutional imbalances, and governance inefficiencies caused by irregular information disclosure and imperfect structure. Finally, it proposes a “three-dimensional collaborative” mitigation mechanism. This study provides localized, practical pathways for ESG compliance in the construction industry and offers a theoretical reference for the sector’s green transformation, thereby contributing to advancing Chinese-style modernization and ecological civilization construction.