To achieve Taiwan's 2050 net-zero emissions target the Ministry of Environment joined with industry to establish a net-zero lifestyle alliance, Feb. 18.

Over 20 industry, academic and research bodies joined the alliance and jointly pledged to advance sustainable practices. They anticipated that action by enterprises would raise awareness of sustainable values within corporations and the general public.

Through the alliance's establishment the MOENV gathered business groups to create a cooperative platform for net-zero lifestyle solutions and efficiently harness initiatives from all walks of life.

Speaking at the launch, MOENV Minister Peng Chi-ming said that forging a sustainable lifestyle is one of the five goals of President Lai Ching-te’s National Project of Hope. Peng hoped to use entrepreneurial thinking to create a virtuous market lifecycle, so that companies are willing to invest, supported by consumers thus accelerating net-zero transformation and creating a sustainable industrial ecosystem. 

A series of forums is set to be held on topics that include sustainable consumption, food and travel. The first forum took place the same day on sustainable work environments. 

Speaking on net-zero offices, Yeh Shin-cheng, National Taiwan Normal University professor, noted that cheapness and convenience are the biggest obstacles to promoting a net zero environment. He further said that technology and facility of implementation were vital to implement sustainable lifestyles. Wang Shu-jhen, director of Friendly Seed, a social enterprise that promotes environmental education, said that such initiatives were slow but effective. Wang looked forward to sharing a wide variety of corporate net-zero practices to help enterprises formulate environmentally sustainable action.

Director of Human Resources at optoelectronics corporation, AUO, Li Syu-bin, shared experience of achieving carbon neutrality in office buildings through practical measures such as providing parking for electric vehicles and implementing low carbon staff meals in workplace canteens. 

Fubon Bank Assistant Manager Lee Ching-ru also noted that sustainability is a marathon, rather than a sprint, that starts with cultivating awareness and added that initiatives need to be simple so that they are sustainable long term.
  
The MOENV concluded by inviting enterprises from all sectors to join the alliance to keep up to date with the latest information in net-zero solutions and activities.


Source:  Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)