The Sustainable Roadmap Information Sessions, cohosted by the Taiwan Stock Exchange (the “TWSE”) and the Taipei Exchange (the “TPEx”), have drawn to a successful close. The three sessions proceeded along sustainable industrial themes such as "steel; cement, plastics, and rubber; and electronics ". In addition, the TWSE and TPEx invited corporate sustainability experts and TWSE-listed companies to discuss carbon emission reduction activities. The information sessions were also livestreamed. The three sessions were attended by a total of 1,650 directors, governance officers, executives and corporate sustainability experts who gave very positive feedback.

Chairman Sherman Lin of the organizer, TWSE, pointed out in his speech that apart from financial results, it was more important for companies to consider stakeholder interest, take on more corporate social responsibility, and implement a corporate sustainability policy. Meanwhile, climate change is now an urgent issue, and carbon emission reduction is the only way for companies to stop the crisis from deteriorating and become more competitive concurrently.

Deputy Director Tzu-Min Chang, Deputy Director Ching-Ping Kao, and Chief Secretary Hou-Ming Huang of the Securities and Futures Bureau represented the competent authority at the three sessions. They spoke of the Financial Supervisory Commission wishing to take an orderly approach to implementing GHG inventory for TWSE/TPEx-listed companies. The goal is to have all TWSE/TPEx-listed companies finish implementing GHG inventory by 2027 and certification by 2029. GHG inventory is not an easy task for companies as it involves collaboration of many departments in an organization. Therefore, the FSC is giving companies sufficient time to make preparations and ongoing assistance for companies to conduct carbon inventory and disclosure.

Corporate sustainability experts and representatives of TWSE-listed companies delivered keynote speeches on related topics.

Dr. Eugene Chien, Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, said that companies should assess and quantify climate risks, opportunities and financial impacts as a whole and start recognizing and learning more about climate change. He also said net zero transition opportunities in wind power, electric vehicles, and low carbon buildings should be created.

Dr. Cheng-Chung Huang, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting, pointed out that a board of directors should establish a direction and oversee the entire carbon reduction plan. In addition, key performance indicators should be linked internally to the progress toward net zero, and science-based reduction targets should be introduced to treat net zero as part of a company's core business strategies among others.

Eliza Li, Leader of Sustainability and Climate Change Services at PwC Taiwan, explained the need for companies to create correct and effective inventory mechanisms to strengthen emission management along the value chain so they can develop low carbon transition strategies and green business models. She also pointed to carbon pricing as another source of opportunities for companies in the future.

Jih-Jau Jeng, Vice President of China Steel Corporation, said that CSC was actively reducing carbon emissions during production and working with trade associations and other organizations as a facilitator to help suppliers face challenges in carbon neutrality, carbon pricing, and carbon tariffs. CSC, as a larger organization, helps its suppliers to make plans for carbon inventory and reduction in order to speed up carbon reduction in the industry and increase green competitiveness.

Ker-Fu Lu, Senior Vice President of Taiwan Cement, said Taiwan Cement's seven carbon reduction strategies were use of alternative materials, use of alternative fuels, carbon capture, carbon sink, improved techniques, power generation from residual heat, and installation of renewable energies. Taiwan Cement also combines sustainability and social inclusion to win stakeholders' support for these carbon reduction efforts.

Amy Ku, Chief Sustainability Officer of AUO, pointed out that AUO, in addition to optimizing carbon reduction in panel production, supported domestic and international climate initiatives and implemented net zero strategies and targets. In addition, AUO has created a sustainable talent pool in the company to encourage all AUO employees to set carbon reduction as a shared goal.

The three sessions were hosted by TWSE President Lih-Chung Chien. The discussions were joined by Section Head Guang-Qi Shang of SFB, corporate sustainability experts, and representatives of TWSE-listed companies. The topics covered "Sustainability Roadmap: visions and goals for TWSE/TPEx-listed companies," "the role of board of directors in carbon reduction," and "key points on conducting carbon inventory and setting reduction targets for SMEs." The participants shared their experiences and answered questions from the audience as well as online viewers. Mr. Shang also mentioned that carbon reduction against climate change has become a battle for survival in the business world and companies should overcome short term costs to increase long term competitiveness.

Recordings of the sessions are now available to businesses on Webpro. For more information, please visit the Corporate Governance Section on Webpro 3.0 or click here https://webpro.twse.com.tw/webportal/vod/115/?categoryId=150.