Net Zero Trends

As the 2050 net-zero carbon emission policy is being fully implemented, the pressure on the construction industry to transform is increasing day by day. The Taichung City Building Management Association's August Master Lecture will be held on the 13th, inviting Professor Cai Yaoxian of the Department of Architecture of National Cheng Kung University to give a speech entitled "Blue Ocean Strategy Towards Net-Zero Buildings". Click to read more...

The Singapore government regards carbon capture and storage (CCS) as one of the country's net zero solutions. On the 14th, the government announced that three companies had received feasibility study subsidies, namely Keppel Group, PLP Power, and YTL PowerSeraya. The research results are expected to be completed by the end of January 2026, laying the foundation for subsequent electricity decarbonization policies. Click to read more...

The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) officially released the "Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard" (FINZ, SBTi Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard) on the 22nd, requiring financial institutions that commit to net zero in accordance with the standard to disclose their "fossil fuel transparency policy", immediately terminate financing for new fossil fuel projects, and terminate general-purpose financing for oil and gas companies involved in expansion by 2030. Click to read more...

The global aviation industry has rapidly rebounded after the pandemic, driving the development of the aircraft industry. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global aviation composite materials market is estimated to be worth USD 29.1 billion in 2024, and it is expected to reach USD 52.1 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. Click to read more...

To establish a model for net-zero actions that combines innovation with public interest, the "Taiwan Net-Zero Technology Promotion Team" (referred to as the Net-Zero Promotion Team), established by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) through a project managed by the National Experimental Research Institute, held the 2025 "Citizen Group Innovation Demonstration and Sandbox Pilot Program" (referred to as the Sandbox Program) launch meeting today (30th). Click to read more...

Taiwan to Pilot ETS in 2026, Dual Carbon Pricing System with Carbon Fee Expected by 2027
 

Minister of Environment, Dr. Lee Ying-yuan, announced that Taiwan’s carbon fee system officially launched in 2025. The greenhouse gas emissions of entities subject to the carbon fee will be factored into the pricing system starting this year. Click to read more...

“My first job was as a crew assistant at a hotel in Fiji, taking people snorkeling,” said Peter Thomson, the United Nations’ Special Envoy for the Oceans, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). Thomson's public service has witnessed the rise and fall of Fiji’s tourism industry. He believes that society should not only maintain sustainable resilience but also align with international standards. Click to read more...

Scientists are warning that at the current rate of carbon emissions, the world has only two years of carbon budget left to meet the internationally agreed goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This indicates that the planet is already deeply entrenched in a climate crisis.

According to a report by The Guardian, once the critical 1.5°C warming threshold is surpassed, the extreme weather events already wreaking havoc across the globe will worsen significantly. To restore the stable climate that has nurtured human civilization over the past 10,000 years, humanity will eventually need to remove large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere. Click to read more...

New research published in Geophysical Research Letters finds that if the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a crucial system of ocean currents—collapses, northern Europe could experience drastically colder winters, even in a globally warmer world. Using climate simulations, researchers examined how the combined effects of global warming and an AMOC shutdown would reshape European climate.

Under a scenario where global temperatures rise 2°C above pre-industrial levels (RCP4.5), an AMOC collapse would overpower warming effects in parts of Europe. Winter temperatures in cities like London and Oslo could plunge to -20°C and -48°C respectively, due to disrupted heat transport and expanded sea ice coverage. Such extremes are the result of “super-additive effects,” meaning the cooling impact exceeds the sum of individual factors.

In a world warmed by 4°C, the cooling influence of an AMOC collapse would be less dominant, and Europe would still warm—though less than the global average. The study emphasizes that these outcomes apply to centuries after a hypothetical collapse, not the immediate future.

Researchers highlight the societal unpreparedness for such dramatic cold extremes, warning that Europe's infrastructure is not built for Arctic-like winters. The findings call for policymakers to consider compound risks—like warming and circulation collapse together—in climate planning, and to invest more in monitoring ocean systems to reduce uncertainty about tipping points.

As the global shipping industry races to meet emission standards and environmental commitments, one widely adopted solution—marine scrubbers—is coming under renewed scrutiny. Originally embraced as a cost-effective way to reduce sulphur emissions from ships by allowing continued use of cheap heavy fuel oil (HFO), scrubbers now appear to be creating a new and insidious problem: marine pollution.

This article investigates how open-loop scrubbers, which clean exhaust fumes by mixing them with seawater before discharging the resulting toxic waste back into the ocean, may be causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. Despite their regulatory compliance, scientists and environmental advocates warn that scrubbers shift pollution from air to sea, with harmful substances like heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulating at the base of the food chain.

While the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has so far avoided imposing a global ban, a growing number of countries and regions—from China’s coastal zones to Europe’s Baltic Sea—are imposing local restrictions. The article explores the complex mix of technological compromise, regulatory gaps, and economic incentives that fuel the controversy—and what it might take to shift toward truly sustainable shipping practices before the damage becomes permanent.

Norway’s oil industry was hit hard by the price crash, with oil suppliers facing steep declines in sales expectations. Rather than cutting back on innovation altogether, many of these firms strategically redirected their existing R&D resources from fossil-related technologies to clean alternatives. This internal shift, rather than expansion of overall R&D spending, drove a notable increase in clean technology development.

Carbon pricing has become a cornerstone of the EU’s climate policy, primarily implemented through the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). While effective in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, this study highlights the significant and uneven economic and political impacts associated with rising carbon prices across European regions. Using a comprehensive dataset covering 224 regions in 20 countries over two decades, the authors show that an increase in carbon prices leads to notable declines in regional output, employment, and household income.

The Taiwan government has set a target of reducing carbon emissions by 38% by 2035, and recently adjusted the target range to plus or minus 2% in response to multiple international and domestic factors. At the Responsible Care Association of the Chemical Industry of the Republic of China annual meeting on April 16, 2025, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming said that Taiwan's net-zero carbon emissions target remains unchanged, but the pace of carbon reduction will be more flexible in the face of challenges such as the development of AI technology, changes in US policy, and amendments to fiscal laws. In addition, the government expects that the carbon fee will bring in NT$5 to NT$6 billion in special funds, which will be used to promote green transformation and technological upgrading. Peng Qiming pointed out that Taiwan has implemented carbon reduction measures based on carbon emission benchmarks since 2005, and has shown a downward trend year by year. Carbon emissions will be reduced by 1.8% in 2022, by about 4.6% in 2023, and by at least 5% in 2024, with the target of 10% by 2025. Taiwan's carbon reduction strategy mainly includes energy transformation and carbon fee collection, which will help achieve the 38% carbon reduction target by 2035.

As global climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, scientists and companies are actively exploring methods to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere to cool the Earth. These solutions are seen as crucial to achieving climate goals, especially as the world is at risk of surpassing the temperature limits set by the Paris Agreement. Here are three key carbon removal methods and the challenges they face.

The EU originally planned to impose carbon emission fines on automakers that failed to meet the standards starting in 2024. However, after considering industry pressure, European Commission President van der Leyen announced that the carbon emission reduction target will remain unchanged, but the implementation of the fines will be postponed for three years. This decision was made after the "Strategic Dialogue" meeting, mainly because major automobile producing countries such as Germany and Italy were worried about economic weakness and requested to reduce the burden on the industry.

AI carbon emissions are staggering! According to research by KnownHost, ChatGPT emits approximately 260,930 kilograms of carbon dioxide per month, equivalent to 260 international flights from New York to London. Although each page view only produces 1.59 grams of carbon dioxide, the platform has 164 million monthly users, and the cumulative environmental impact cannot be ignored. In addition to ChatGPT, the carbon footprint of other artificial intelligence platforms is also significant. The AI ​​writing assistant Rytr emits 10.1 grams of carbon dioxide per page viewed, and the legal AI Spellbook emits 6.5 grams, both higher than ChatGPT.Daniel Pearson, CEO of KnownHost, said technology companies are working hard to balance environmental sustainability by optimizing code, developing new cooling systems, improving airflow design, and promoting renewable energy.
In addition, the United States has launched the "Stargate Project" on January 21, which is jointly promoted by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle and the investment company MGX. It plans to invest US$500 billion to seek breakthroughs in AI technology through multinational collaboration to help solve energy challenges.

As renewable energy becomes a global mainstream in power generation, its intermittent supply presents challenges, and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) offer a solution. Gogoro and Yong Feng Yu have taken the lead in exploring this field in Taiwan, contributing to grid stability and enhancing energy efficiency.
 

Gogoro has integrated its battery-swapping stations into a virtual power plant, participating in power dispatching. Estimates suggest that if all stations were fully utilized for dispatching, they could provide approximately 45 minutes of residential electricity for Taipei City. Additionally, Yong Feng Yu's subsidiary, Yongyu Intelligence, leverages AI technology to build a virtual power plant, enabling intelligent management of distributed energy resources.
 

The concept of a virtual power plant involves integrating distributed energy resources into a flexible and dispatchable system to balance supply and demand and address the variability of renewable energy generation. The innovative practices of these two companies provide stable support for Taiwan's power grid.

On January 2, Wall Street investment bank Morgan Stanley announced that it would withdraw from the UN-backed climate alliance, following in the footsteps of financial peers such as Goldman Sachs and Citi. The alliance had committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Morgan Stanley did not provide a reason for its withdrawal from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). Citi and Bank of America had earlier announced their exit from the organization, while Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo made the same decision in early December.

The NZBA, called for by the United Nations and established in 2021, requires businesses that receive loans and investments from member banks to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the end of 2050.

However, with the conservative Trump poised to return to the White House, U.S. banks and other financial institutions are feeling increasing pressure. Republican lawmakers have pressured them to reverse their previous commitments to reduce loans to traditional energy sectors such as oil and gas.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently made a preliminary anti-dumping duty determination on solar imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, with the highest duty rate reaching 271.2%. The final decision is expected to be announced in April 2025.

As the "2024 Solar Winter" caused by price competition from Chinese photovoltaic products is coming to an end, how will Taiwan's solar industry respond and plan its strategy for the overseas market in 2025?

Taiwan's Carbon Footprint Label: A Decade of Progress and New Legal Frameworks

Taiwan has been promoting the Carbon Footprint Label for over a decade under the "Guidelines for Managing Product Carbon Footprints," initiated by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). After products undergo carbon footprint calculation and verification, they can apply for the label through relevant authorities. This initiative began on a trial basis in 2010. As of now, there are 596 valid carbon footprint labels, primarily for everyday products such as food, cooking oils, chemical materials and their derivatives, and beverages.

With the enactment of the Climate Change Response Act, the "Voluntary Product Carbon Footprint Management Regulations" have elevated the administrative status of carbon footprint management. Yeh Hsin-Chun, Deputy Director of the Adaptation and Resilience Division at the Ministry of Environment, noted that while the system builds on the existing framework, its higher status allows for more comprehensive carbon footprint disclosure. This aims to encourage a broader understanding and accountability for carbon emissions in product life cycles.

The first domestic carbon trading transaction was completed on December 11, involving a project where the Taipei 101 parking lot adopted high-efficiency light sources. A total of 30 metric tons of carbon credits were traded at 3,500 NTD per ton, with Taiwan Local Regeneration Company as the buyer. The total transaction value was 105,000 NTD. The general manager of the Carbon Exchange, Tian Jianzhong, stated that Taiwan Local Regeneration Company must also report the use of these carbon credits to the Ministry of the Environment.

The domestic carbon trading platform went live on October 2, with an initial offering of six projects. However, five of these projects were delisted after failing to make any sales within a month.

A new best ally for renewable energy storage! In response to global energy transitions and the trend towards net-zero emissions, Taipower is actively developing diverse energy sources.
To strengthen the resilience of the power grid, following the 20MW energy storage systems at the Tainan Salt Field Solar Power Plant and the Kaohsiung Luyuan Substation, as well as the 60MW energy storage system launched earlier this year at the Longtan Ultra-High Voltage Substation, Taipower has now unveiled another 60MW energy storage system in Dongshan, Yilan, with an inauguration ceremony held yesterday (20th).
According to Taipower, the energy storage system features rapid charging and discharging capabilities, which help regulate the frequency of renewable energy integration into the grid and provide immediate stable power during unexpected electrical events, thereby enhancing the stability and flexibility of the power system.

Minister of the Environment attended the Taichung Zero Waste Manufacturing Center Commercial Transition Ceremony today and signed a Carbon Capture Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with TSMC Senior Vice President , announcing that the two companies will work together to achieve the long-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions through in-depth cooperation in the areas of carbon capture, carbon emissions reduction, and green technology innovations. The collaboration represents a joint commitment by the Ministry of the Environment and TSMC to emphasize global climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The collaboration will focus on the development and demonstration of technology applications, feasibility assessment of general waste treatment facilities, regulatory adaptation of climate change response laws, and dissemination of successful experiences.

AUO  announced  that the Taise has published the list of companies certified with the Net Zero certification. Among them, AUO achieved a 32% absolute reduction in "production facility emissions"  in 2023, becoming the first company in Taiwan to not only meet the 25% reduction standard required for the Gold-Level certification, but also to be recognized as the first company in Taiwan to earn the prestigious "Gold-Level" Net Zero certification.

Asia Cement has achieved another important milestone in the net-zero campaign, winning the “Net-Zero Mark” certification for the third time from the Taiwan Net-Zero Action Alliance, and leaping from the original “Green Level” to “Silver Level”, making it a benchmark enterprise in the field of low-carbon development.

TCC's Green Supply Chain Alliance was established, Mr. Nelson Chang,Chairman of Taiwan Cement emphasized at the conference that the cement produced by TCC around the world is the lowest-carbon product in the region. He anticipated that Taiwan's future carbon fee system would incorporate scope 3 carbon emissions, and bluntly stated that “the success factor of doing business in the future is carbon", and that TCC suppliers who failed to recognize the concept and provide a carbon footprint would not be TCC suppliers in the future, and would be shaved off from TCC's supply chain if they failed to reduce carbon emissions in the future.
 

In the face of worsening global climate change, the manufacturing industry is facing an increasingly urgent challenge to reduce carbon emissions. In order to help the industry meet this challenge, Deloitte & Touche and Institute for Information Industry co-organized the “Towards Net Zero: Carbon Reduction Practices for the Manufacturing Industry” seminar today (15). The seminar focused on the global trend of net-zero carbon emissions and specific carbon reduction practices, emphasizing the importance of carbon reduction in the manufacturing industry and the key role of digital technology in realizing low-carbon transformation, helping enterprises to cope with the increasingly stringent carbon emission regulations and meeting the needs of tourists and consumers who are increasingly concerned about their carbon footprints.

In next year's total budget released by the Executive Yuan, $116.1 billion has been allocated for 12 key strategies for net-zero transformation. Among them, President Lai Ching-Te's promotion of secondary energy transformation will result in a budget of $4.1 billion for next year's forward-looking energy-related programs, an annual increase of 36%. The related funds will be invested in advanced energy sources and technologies such as geothermal energy, hydrogen energy, and carbon capture and storage.

Chimei Corporation and the Industrial Technology Research Institute have revolutionized the plastics industry with their groundbreaking carbon capture technology. By winning the R&D 100 Award, they have demonstrated the feasibility of producing high-performance plastics with significantly reduced carbon footprints.

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) held its fifth carbon tax rate review meeting on September 9th to discuss the formulation of rate-setting legislation, rate adjustment plans, and the impact assessment of different rate schemes on individual industries. The review committee preliminarily recommended a starting price of NT$300 to NT$500 per metric ton for the general rate, which is expected to increase to NT$1,200 to NT$1,800 by 2030. Preferential rates will be reserved for discussion at the next meeting.

With the support of Governor Newsom, Deputy Secretary of Energy David Crane, Senator Alex Padilla, and other officials, California launched the country's inaugural hydrogen hub last month. This significant step marks the state's commitment to reducing carbon emissions through clean energy sources.

Ammonia fuel is a type of energy source that uses ammonia (NH₃) as fuel. Ammonia is a carbon-free molecule, and its combustion does not directly produce carbon dioxide, making it highly promising in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ammonia fuel can be produced in various ways, including extraction from natural gas, which may result in some carbon emissions, or by generating "green ammonia" through water electrolysis and combining hydrogen with nitrogen. This process relies entirely on renewable energy, making it more environmentally friendly.

Whether it's the industrialization of AI or the future applications of AI across various industries, climate considerations are indispensable. Suitable investment targets for the Climate Change Response Fund are not limited to Taipower; high-tech manufacturing must comply with the RE100 initiative, and traditional industries such as steel and petrochemicals also need to undergo low-carbon transformation. Water usage, energy consumption, and carbon emissions—each presents challenges, but also opportunities.

The state of emergency triggered by climate change is intensifying, and the threats to human health are becoming increasingly apparent. On the 13th, medical institutions and financial industry representatives gathered for the first time to engage in dialogue and establish partnerships to address the current crisis. Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiu Tai-yuan, praised the growing number of hospitals proactively joining the net-zero movement and promised that the government would allocate more resources, urging clinics to prepare in advance. Financial industry representatives also pledged to leverage the power of sustainable finance to help the healthcare system enhance energy efficiency and accelerate the path to net zero.

According to UN statistics, buildings account for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation, second only to manufacturing. This highlights the critical role of building decarbonization in Taiwan's journey towards net-zero emissions. AUO, a leading player in the photovoltaic industry, has been deeply engaged in smart green energy, energy efficiency, and power application solutions. The company has also ventured into the construction sector, promoting Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) technology. By collaborating with supply chain partners, AUO aims to achieve the vision of sustainable net-zero buildings.

The Department of Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), co-hosted the "2024 Taiwan Biodiversity Forum and Biodiversity Exemplary Awards Ceremony." A total of 24 projects competed, with 15 exemplary cases selected, including two groups each winning three gold awards.

The New Taipei City Government continues to promote carbon reduction in engineering and net-zero buildings, building on last year's efforts and achieving new heights. This year's "New Taipei Net Zero, City on BIM" seminar was grandly held on July 8th. The event was inaugurated by Deputy Mayor Chunjing Chen, who delivered a speech on behalf of Mayor Youyi Hou, declaring the goal of fully disclosing building carbon emissions by 2026. This provides a forward-looking blueprint for the city's advanced deployment in urban construction.

Bank SinoPac, leading the industry, has pioneered the Green Energy Trading Trust Platform. Leveraging its financial strength, the bank accelerates Taiwan's net-zero sustainability goals. On the 2nd, it signed a cooperation agreement with YIHO International Energy Co., Ltd., Yihwa Green Energy Mart, to introduce the Green Energy Trading Trust, facilitating transactions between upstream power generators and buyers/sellers of green energy. 

On June 19, Asia Cement and U-Ming Marine held the maiden voyage ceremony for the eco-friendly cement ship "Asia Cement No. 9" at Hualien Port. Asia Cement's General Manager, Lee Kun-Yen, stated that the commissioning of this new ship not only enhances the transportation capacity of cement products but also significantly reduces carbon emissions during the voyage, fulfilling the group's commitment to environmental protection.

In 2023, global temperatures rose by 1.48°C, significantly surpassing the record for the hottest year on record and approaching the 1.5°C target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. The urgency to reduce carbon emissions and cool the planet cannot be overstated. Far EasTone Telecommunications has diligently audited all carbon emissions generated throughout its internal operations and product life cycles. As the first telecom company in the nation to pass the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) audit under the 1.5°C scenario, Far EasTone has recently been awarded the 1.5°C Climate Target Label by CommonWealth Magazine.

On May 21, Taiwan Cement Corporation held its shareholders' meeting, officially announcing that the 78-year-old Taiwan Cement Corporation, after seven years of active low-carbon transformation towards an international presence, will transition into a holding company. The English name will change from Taiwan Cement Corporation to TCC Group Holdings, spanning 11 industries and operating in 13 international markets globally.

ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. Executive Director Joseph Tung stated that ASE and its subsidiaries are actively procuring renewable energy to achieve their corporate carbon reduction goals. By partnering with their subsidiaries and signing a letter of intent for cooperation with TCC Green Energy, ASE aims not only to enhance the overall competitiveness of the company but also to meet the commitments made to their clients and fulfill their own sustainability objectives.

CSC will uphold the philosophy of "No Best, Only Better" and implement various water-saving measures following the 4R strategy to realize a circular economy. The company will continue to invest in the research and development of desalinated seawater, not only to stabilize and strengthen CSC's water resilience but also to increase Taiwan Water Corporation's capacity to support residential water use. This demonstrates CSC's commitment to sustainable development for mutual benefit with society.

Far EasTone Telecommunications has achieved significant energy savings in its operations. By utilizing an energy management system, they have reduced the total electricity consumption of their stores by 10% annually. Additionally, through the innovative 5G "AI Base Station Location" system, which minimizes unnecessary duplicate investments, along with intelligent mixing and dormancy technologies, they have been able to cut base station energy consumption by up to 46%. This reduction is equivalent to approximately 50,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. This accomplishment has earned Far EasTone the "Sustainability Impact to my Enterprise" award at the global Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards 2023, making it the only Taiwanese company to receive this honor.