TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's state-owned banks have issued sustainable bonds totaling approximately NT$42.6 billion (around US$1.39 billion) as of August, signaling the island's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Li Ching-hua (李慶華), deputy minister of Taiwan's Ministry of Finance (財政部), Taiwan's treasury department, announced the milestone Wednesday (Sept. 3) during a major sustainability conference. The Ministry of Finance hopes financial institutions will leverage their considerable influence to aid industries in transitioning to low-carbon operations across Taiwan's economy.
Chang Hwa Bank (彰化銀行), one of Taiwan's major state-owned lenders, hosted its 5th joint financial business supplier conference Wednesday (Sept. 3), themed "Transforming Finance for a New Opportunity, Advancing Together Toward Net-Zero Sustainability" (轉型金融啟新機，淨零永續共前行). The event focused on promoting sustainable finance initiatives within Taiwan's banking sector. Li noted that since September 2021, the Ministry of Finance has collaborated with nine state-owned financial enterprises to establish an ESG initiative platform outlining over 35 specific implementation plans currently in mid-phase execution.
Wang Yun-chung (王允中), deputy director-general of the Financial Supervisory Commission's (金管會) banking bureau, Taiwan's banking regulator, explained the commission's promotion of green and transformative finance action plans. Wang stated that the hope is for financial institutions to provide necessary financial resources enabling enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals. He highlighted strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (環境部), Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部), and other partners to establish an effective cross-ministry and public-private partnership framework.
Hu Kuang-hua (胡光華), chairman of Chang Hwa Bank, emphasized the collective effort required from government agencies, enterprises, financial institutions, and supply chains to achieve ambitious net-zero sustainability targets. The conference demonstrated environmental commitment by exclusively using renewable and recyclable materials throughout the event, symbolizing the planting of sustainable seeds and extending green concepts into everyday banking practice. Chang Hwa Bank's approach reflects Taiwan's broader commitment to integrating sustainability principles across all sectors of the economy. ◼