The ECCT's Low Carbon Initiative was the co-organiser of the ESG leadership summit arranged by MNEWS. The event brought together key government officials, corporate leaders and sustainability advocates to discuss Taiwan's role in global ESG leadership with a focus on strategies for integrating sustainability into economic practices and fostering international collaboration.

At the event, opening remarks were made by Dr Peng Chi-Ming, Minister of the Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部部長彭啟明); Kao Shien-Quey, Deputy Minister of the National Development Council (NDC, 國發會高仙桂副主委); Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Administration, under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC); Eugene Chien, Chairman of TAISE (台灣永續能源研究基金會董事長 簡又新) and ECCT Vice Chairman John Winter. This was followed by presentations by representatives from global corporations operating in Taiwan, including ERM and Microsoft.

In his remarks, MOENV Minister Peng Chi-Ming emphasised the essential role of governments in establishing a robust policy framework for sustainability. He highlighted initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen regulations, and promote green innovation. Minister Peng also stressed the importance of cultivating green talent to ensure a skilled workforce for a sustainable future.

In her remarks, NDC Deputy Minister Kao Shien-Quey, highlighted the significant opportunities arising from the global net zero transition. She pointed to the EU's CBAM policy and global decarbonisation trends, noting both the challenges and opportunities they present for Taiwanese businesses. She underscored the urgency of aligning Taiwan with international sustainability standards, including mandatory carbon pricing and sustainability reporting for public companies by 2025. Deputy Minister Kao also outlined government efforts to support businesses with energy efficiency upgrades, digital transformation, and access to green growth funding, ensuring that net zero efforts drive economic growth rather than hinder it. She emphasised the transformative potential of investments in renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies, positioning Taiwan as a global leader in green industries.

In his remarks Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Administration discussed the importance of integrating sustainability into Taiwan's tourism strategy. He outlined key goals, including promoting sustainable travel by reducing carbon footprints and obtaining green certifications for accommodations and tourism businesses. He called for encouraging tourism operators to adopt sustainable practices that align with local biodiversity and environmental preservation. In addition, he emphasised the need to strengthen digital innovation and skills development within the tourism industry to enhance sustainability and resilience. He presented sustainable tourism as a cornerstone of Taiwan's green transformation, balancing economic growth with ecological preservation.

In his remarks, John Winter noted that European companies operating in Taiwan are well-positioned to help Taiwan to transform ESG commitments into practice, ensuring not only alignment with global sustainability goals but also enhancing Taiwan's international competitiveness. Partnering with European corporations to adopt state-of-the-art carbon management systems would allow Taiwanese firms to not only meet international environmental standards but also reduce energy costs, enhance operational efficiencies, and unlock new business opportunities in green technologies. Moreover, adopting similar governance models would improve the sustainability of their own supply chains. This would not only ensure compliance with global sustainability standards but also enhance resilience, reduce risk, and improve reputation. He concluded that by leveraging Europe's leadership in carbon management, sustainable finance, supply chain governance, and green technologies combined with Taiwanese manufacturing and supply chain expertise, Taiwanese companies can integrate ESG principles into their operations, meet global sustainability targets, and achieve stronger market positions worldwide.

In his presentation at the event, James Leu, Senior Partner and Asia Product Stewardship Lead at ERM, provided valuable insights into international ESG trends and offered practical solutions for corporate sustainability transformation. He highlighted the importance of integrating product stewardship and utilising data-driven strategies to meet global ESG standards. He also advocated for businesses to take a proactive approach to sustainability to enhance competitiveness and resilience in a rapidly evolving global market.

The ESG Leadership Summit underscored the significance of global partnerships in driving sustainable development. With shared expertise, Taiwan and Europe are poised to lead the way in implementing ESG principles across industries, enhancing corporate competitiveness, and achieving global sustainability goals. The summit concluded with a call to action for stronger collaboration among governments, industries, and communities to build a sustainable future.