Sustainability as Taiwan’s Motive Force

—A Chat with Ambassador-at-Large Eugene Chien

Joanna Wang　/　photos Kent Chuang　/　tr. by David Mayer

May 2026

中文

Dr. Eugene Chien, chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, has long been working to spread the word in Taiwan about sustainability.

What should Taiwan do as the world seeks a global transition to a net-zero economy? Dr. Eugene Chien, chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) and Taiwan’s ambassador-at-large for climate change and sustainability, feels that the nation’s keys to success are to “react quickly, and to be highly flexible and resilient.”

Once ignored, now a hot topic

For the past 20 years, in matters related to sustainability Taiwan’s government has shifted from moral suasion to rules and legislation. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues have become indicators by which to measure competitiveness. When TAISE was established in 2007, the issue of sustainability was not on many radars. Initially lacking in resources and out of the limelight, TAISE has held the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards each year since 2008. Only 16 companies took part in the first year, but in 2025 the number exceeded 1,000. TAISE has now trained over 20,000 licensed specialists and volunteer judges. The issue of sustainability is steadily building social momentum.

More than 9,200 companies worldwide were reviewed for inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026. A world-leading 79 Taiwanese companies were selected, or 9.3% of the total. (courtesy of TAISE)

Taiwan’s competitive edge

Dr. Chien says Taiwanese companies are “as nimble as monkeys.” Although small and medium-sized enterprises have limited resources, they still can rapidly change manufacturing processes and implement information transparency. Their outstanding flexibility and resilience give them a competitive edge.

International ratings bodies are high on Taiwan. A world-leading 79 Taiwanese companies were selected for the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026. Taiwan’s GDP accounts for only 0.8% of the global total, but it is a leader in terms of sustainability.

Taiwan’s sustainability action has branched out from companies into all walks of society. Some 70 universities and 150 hospitals are working with TAISE on sustainability projects. Government agencies at the central and local levels have hired chief sustainability officers to promote the adoption of cross-agency policies. Internationally, Taiwan is organizing youth exchanges and technical cooperation programs, and actively taking part in international conferences in pursuit of shared progress.

The number of companies competing in TAISE’s Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards topped 1,000 in 2025. These awards are dubbed “Taiwan’s sustainability Oscars.”

People are the core of sustainability

More importantly, sustainability is not just a matter of data and rankings; it’s about changing the way we live. Pointing to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) as an example, Chien notes that thanks to a friendly workplace and generous childcare benefits, the birthrate among TSMC employees is several times higher than the national average. This shows that once a company internalizes the values of sustainability, it will protect the environment, and beyond that, it will properly see to the needs of its employees, create a happy workplace, and solidify its core competencies.

Sustainability is no longer just an abstract phrase. Now it is a motive force that powers change and keeps Taiwan stable as it presses forward amid tough global competition.

The SDG Asia Exhibition held by TAISE is an important annual sustainability event in Taiwan that includes an exposition, forums, and an awards ceremony. The 2025 event attracted 180 exhibitors and over 50,000 attendees.