The Taiwan Monthly

ESG

TWSE and NCCU successfully conclude the "Holistic Sustainable Governance for Enhanced Enterprise Resilience Forum"

To assist Taiwan’s enterprises in navigating global climate risks and strengthening their sustainable governance capabilities, the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) and National Chengchi University (NCCU) jointly hosted the "Holistic Sustainable Governance for Enhanced Enterprise Resilience Forum" on December 15. The event brought together experts from industry, government, academia, and research sectors to delve into sustainable investment and technological innovation. Speakers emphasized the importance of a simultaneous "Twin Transition"—advancing both digital and sustainability transformations—and called for leveraging the power of capital markets and financial innovation to help Taiwan’s industries maintain international competitiveness on the path to Net Zero 2050.

 

In her opening remarks, TWSE President Lee Ai-ling noted that the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Risks Report identifies environmental risks as critical factors in both the short- and long-term. Facing the imminent imposition of carbon fees next year and the 2050 Net Zero emissions goal, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) has issued the "Sustainable Development Roadmap for Listed Companies" and "Sustainable Development Action Plans." These initiatives require enterprises to implement greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories in phases based on their paid-in capital and to establish concrete carbon reduction targets and strategies.

 

President Lee emphasized that the key to sustainable governance lies in the support of the Board of Directors. The TWSE continues to advocate for enterprises to establish Sustainability Committees and appoint Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) to embed sustainability into their business models. She also expressed the expectation that the capital market will exert a "large leading small" influence, driving transformation across the entire supply chain. Regarding digital tools, the TWSE has launched the "ESG Digital Platform" and "ESG InfoHub," which consolidate ESG information from listed companies, allowing domestic and international investors to compare the ESG performance of Taiwan’s enterprises more conveniently. Furthermore, the TWSE and the Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) will continue to align with government policies to promote domestic and international carbon credit trading. They will also collaborate with universities and NGOs to cultivate "green-collar" talent and assist small- and medium-sized listed companies in completing their carbon inventory operations.

 

Wang Li-ling, Director of the Fintech Research Center at NCCU, stated that the forum aligns closely with the government's policy direction to build an "Asian Asset Management Center." She pointed out that Taiwan possesses robust advantages in semiconductor and AI industries; by integrating these with the investment and financing power of financial markets, fresh vitality can be injected into the sustainability transition. Director Wang emphasized that future green finance should go beyond investment to include support for the real economy through product innovation. Furthermore, the combination of "technology empowerment" and "financial innovation" will not only support enterprises in coping with future carbon pricing and carbon trading markets but also ensure the Taiwan's capital is invested more effectively in green industries, creating a win-win situation.

 

The TWSE will continue to utilize capital guidance to showcase the efforts of Taiwan's enterprises in sustainable governance to domestic and international investors, thereby reducing operational risks. By continuing to collaborate with industry, government, and academia, the TWSE aims to deepen the sustainability resilience of market participants and guide Taiwan’s enterprises to secure a firm footing amidst the wave of global supply chain restructuring.

 

For further information, please contact Mr. Hsieh at 1295@twse.com.tw.