Recognizing Commitment to Biodiversity Promotion in Public and Private Sectors
(中央社訊息服務20230608 17:55:57)Public-Private Collaboration Driving Biodiversity Conservation in Taiwan:
E.SUN FHC, PX Mart, and 10 Others Receive 2023 Taiwan Biodiversity Awards
On 22nd May, which marks the International Day for Biological Diversity, TAISE and the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture jointly organized the ‘2023 Taiwan Biodiversity Forum’, in recognition of the global significance of biodiversity. Furthermore, TAISE established the inaugural ‘Taiwan Biodiversity Awards’ to acknowledge the endeavours of businesses, government agencies, and schools in biodiversity conservation. A total of twelve entities were honored with these awards.
The winners of the ‘2023 Taiwan Biodiversity Awards’ include E.SUN FHC, PX Mart, CPC Corporation Taiwan, and Taiwan Cement Corporation, which received the first-ever Gold Awards in the profit sector category. In the non-profit sector category, the Pingtung Forest Management Office of the Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture, and Hualien County Government received the Gold Awards. Furthermore, Carrefour Taiwan, ASE Technology Holding, Hotai Corporation, LEOTEK Electronics, Tunghai University, and National Yunlin University of Science and Technology were acknowledged with Silver, Bronze, or Innovation Awards for their valuable contributions to biodiversity conservation.
Ambassador-at-large Eugene Chien, Chair of TAISE, emphasized the critical need to conserve biodiversity, as highlighted in last year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) and Biodiversity Conference (COP15). According to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report, 'Biodiversity Loss' ranks as the third most severe global risk in the coming decade, following 'Climate Action Failure' and 'Extreme Weather'. The European Commission further revealed that over one million species globally face extinction, 75% of crops rely on animal pollination, over half of the global GDP depends on natural resources, and 70% of cancer drugs are derived from or inspired by nature. These facts underscore the pivotal role of biodiversity in sustaining ecosystems and supporting various human activities dependent on biodiversity resources.
The presenter, Chief Secretary Mei-Ling Fan of the Council of Agriculture, acknowledged the commitment of all businesses and government entities to biodiversity. She particularly commended the proactive efforts of many companies in integrating biodiversity initiatives into their core operations, driven by the momentum of ESG and transparent disclosure trends. She added that with the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry Bureau will be transformed into the 'Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, placing greater emphasis on nature conservation. The Endemic Species Research Institute will be elevated to a Biodiversity Research Institute. Moreover, the Sustainable Resources Department of the Ministry of Agriculture will coordinate efforts from various sectors, aiming to unleash the full potential of Taiwan's biodiversity.
Following the award ceremony, TAISE and the Forestry Bureau also co-organized the '2023 Taiwan Biodiversity Forum', where Deputy Director General Hao-Chen Lin of the Forestry Bureau and Director General Hsiang-Wen Huang of the Ocean Conservation Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council unveiled the country's roadmap and vision for the development of terrestrial and marine biodiversity in Taiwan.
Deputy Director General Hao-Chen Lin pointed out that in accordance with the ‘30 x 30’ target adopted during COP15, which aims to conserve and restore 30% of the land and ocean area by 2030, Taiwan has already formulated concrete schedules and strategies for the establishment of protected areas and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs). This not only addresses the international community's targets for land conservation, but also prioritizes the effective management and operation of protected areas as a core focus.
Furthermore, in response to the latest international trends in biodiversity spatial planning, the 'Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN) program ' has identified biodiversity hotspots and critical areas across the nation. This encompasses 44 Priority Biodiversity Areas and 45 Conservation Corridors throughout Taiwan, providing practical frameworks for ecological habitat restoration and landscape connectivity initiatives. It also offers valuable insights for businesses regarding the ecological information surrounding their production bases, fostering the integration of ESG principles and biodiversity considerations into spatial planning.
Regarding marine biodiversity, Director General Hsiang-Wen Huang explained that the Ocean Conservation Administration, in collaboration with various public and private entities, has actively engaged in scientific research, experimental restoration, and regulatory development to ensure effective marine conservation management. In relation to the 330 significant marine ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and algal reefs, specific conservation plans and maintenance policies have been proposed. Additionally, 47 marine protected areas have been established to promote the sustainable utilization of marine resources and conserve marine biodiversity.
In alignment with global trends, our country remains committed to designating protected areas, advancing monitoring and management technologies, and fostering local conservation initiatives for marine ecosystems. We prioritize the recognition of indigenous rights and local community engagement, forging partnerships with grassroots organizations to collectively safeguard our oceans. Concurrently, we encourage corporate engagement in these efforts. Moreover, the Ocean Conservation Administration is actively driving the enactment of marine conservation laws, with the aim of leveraging cross-sector and cross-border resources to achieve the 30 x 30 target.
Companies showcased their achievements in biodiversity conservation in Taiwan, highlighting their expertise and contributions in the forum. The forum also featured presentations from the recipients of the ‘Taiwan Biodiversity Awards’, who shared their journey in promoting biodiversity. Senior Manager Ching-Yu Chang from E.SUN FHC introduced the company's commitment to biodiversity, focusing on three main pillars: species conservation, habitat preservation, and environmental sustainability. They actively support organic farming, conservation efforts for endemic species such as the Formosan black bear, butterflies, and sea turtles. Additionally, they leverage their core business to promote environmentally sustainable financial solutions, utilizing their financial influence to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in our homeland.
To facilitate collaboration among government agencies, businesses, and the public in biodiversity conservation, the forum also invited domestic scholars and experts in relevant fields to explore key issues in biodiversity conservation. They focused on diverse aspects, including habitats, species, and communities, based on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, thus familiarizing the public with crucial biodiversity conservation issues. The forum presented corporate disclosure objectives regarding biodiversity as outlined in the Framework and introduced international standards related to biodiversity.
According to TAISE statistics, the ‘2023 Taiwan Biodiversity Forum’ successfully engaged over a thousand participants, both in person and online. Through meaningful exchanges and ongoing collaborative discussions between the public and private sectors, the forum strived to pave the way for a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Going forward, the forum aims to continue promoting its accomplishments and highlighting the outstanding contributions of the awarded participants through various channels. There is hopeful anticipation for increased attention and concerted efforts from more businesses, government departments, and educational institutions to address biodiversity issues and take tangible actions in response.
For more details, Please visit: https://tcsaward.org.tw/en/main
