近年來全世界的發展概念都圍繞在「永續」的議題上，不論是業界或學界都喊出ESG與SDGs的目標，但這兩個字到底代表什麼？今天我們就來從「永續」這個主題，認識ESG與SDGs，以及TOEIC測驗常出現的英文吧！
什麼是ESG？
Photo courtesy of photoAC 照片：photoAC提供
ESG是聯合國全球契約（UN Global Compact）於2004年所提出的概念，三個字母分別代表「Environment環境」、「Social社會責任」、與「Governance公司治理」。作為評估企業對社會的貢獻，以及投資人檢視企業能否長期經營的投資指標。
1. environment表示「生態環境」，因此environmental protection就解釋為「環保」。在TOEIC測驗中，代表「環境、情況」的單字還有circumstances與surroundings，但circumstances中有字根「circum」（環狀），surrounding中的「round」是「圓形」的意思，所以這兩者指的都是「周圍的環境」，但前者更用於處境，後者則更用於實體。
Plastics and nanoplastics are doing great damage to the marine environment.
（塑膠與微粒塑膠正對海洋環境產生巨大傷害。）
There are a lot of professional basketball players in the surrounding neighborhoods.
（在周圍的社區中有很多職業籃球選手。）
2. social原指「社會的」意思，但在此解釋為「企業社會責任」，英文是Corporate Social Responsibility（CSR）。TOEIC測驗中的其中一個情境就是corporate development「企業發展」。corporate的意思是「公司的」，company是「公司」，enterprise則是「企業」。
TSMC’s Corporate Headquarters are located in Hsinchu.
（台積電公司總部座落於新竹。）
3. governance「治理」來自於動詞govern，常見的衍生字有government「政府」與governor「統治者、州長」。
SDGs有哪些目標？
SDGs是聯合國所推行的永續發展目標（Sustainable Development Goals）的簡寫。共有十七項目標︰1: No Poverty、2: Zero Hunger、3: Good Health and Well-being、4: Quality Education、5: Gender Equality、6: Clean Water and Sanitation、7: Affordable and Clean Energy、8: Decent Work and Economic Growth、9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure、10: Reduced Inequality、11: Sustainable Cities and Communities、12: Responsible Consumption and Production、13: Climate Action、14: Life Below Water、15: Life on Land、16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions、17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal。以下針對幾項特別做介紹：
GOAL 4: Quality Education「優質教育」
quality是「品質」的意思，當作形容詞時則表示「優質的」，例如quality time就代表「美好時光」。而在TOEIC測驗中，注意不要與quantity「數量」搞混。
Quality content is often the winning factor in the printed or digital publishing business.
（優質內容通常是印刷或數位出版事業中的致勝要素。）
When reading books, choose quality over quantity.
（閱讀書籍時，務必重質不重量。）
GOAL 5: Gender Equality「性別平權」
equality「平等」來自形容詞equal，字根「equa-」的意思就是「均等」，所以equator是「赤道」，而equation代表「等式、方程式」。
Gender equality is often an issue in the technology industry.
（性別平權在是個科技產業常見的議題。）
GOAL 7: Affordable & Clean Energy「可負擔的潔淨能源」
affordable來自於動詞afford「負擔」，是TOEIC測驗高頻字，在職場中也經常出現。
We can’t afford to drop this ball.
（ 我們承擔不起這個錯誤。）
The team can’t afford to lose Tim.
（團隊無法承受失去提姆。）
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure「工業化、創新、及基礎建設」
innovation代表「創新」，而與其相似的單字renovation因為加上字首「re-」，意思是「翻修」。
The lobby will be under renovation for three weeks in June.
（大堂將在六月進行為期三週的翻新。）
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption & Production「責任消費及生產」
consumption是「消費」的意思，與其經常出現的單字有consumer、customer、client，雖然三者都是「客戶」的意思，但是consumer代表「消費者」；customer通常是指「（單次或短期的）顧客」；client則是「（長期的）客戶」。
We strive to meet our clients’ expectations.
（我們竭力滿足客戶的期望。）
John is a regular customer at Jim’s Bar.
（約翰是吉姆酒吧的常客。）
ESG與SDGs的興起不是意外或偶然，而是人類希望可以與地球長期共存的反思結果。不管在哪個產業，為了地球環境的長存，讓我們一起以永續的觀點來守護這個世界吧。
多益模擬試題
1. If we ________ sustainable measures, the future would suffer great harm.
(A) did not take (B) had not taken (C) takes (D) take
2. ________ the ESG certificate, Zoe will hold a sharing session on this trendy issue.
(A) Having earned (B) Earned (C) Earn (D) Earns
解析
1. 正解為(A)。語意為「若我們此刻不採取永續的作為，未來將會承受重大傷害。」假設句主要字句使用should／would／could／might，加上原型動詞表示現在假設，條件子句應使用過去式，故(A)為正確答案。
2. 正解為(A)。語意為「獲得ESG證照後，柔伊將會舉辦一場分享會聊聊這個趨勢話題。」本題為分詞構句，獲得ESG證照是主動獲得，因此要使用現在分詞，故(A)為正確答案。
SOURCE: https://www.toeic.com.tw/info/article/toeic-power/news/ESG-SDGs
文章由 English OK 授權使用: www.englishok.com.tw
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