In July 2023, after Chunghwa Telecom's near-term GHG reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi[1]), an authoritative international climate change organization. On 15th August, Chunghwa Telecom's Net Zero Targets were validated by the SBTi, becoming the first Taiwanese telecom operator to make an advanced commitment to achieve the net-zero goal by 2045, which means that compared with the 2050 net-zero target, Chunghwa Telecom will achieve the target five years ahead of schedule. The validation of Chunghwa Telecom's net-zero targets by the SBTi demonstrates the company's ambition to actively move towards net zero and its firm stance on environmental sustainability. It also demonstrates Chunghwa Telecom's implementation of carbon reduction actions through the dual-axis strategy of ‘Technology Carbon Reduction’ and ‘Using Renewable Energy’. From the inside out, we work together with employees, customers, and business partners to fight for environmental sustainability.
Faced with the issue of global warming due to climate change, Chunghwa Telecom has adopted the 1.5°C scenario and committed to:
Overall Net-Zero Target: To reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2045.
Near-Term Targets: To reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2020 base year. Chunghwa Telecom also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 25% by 2030 from a 2021 base year.
Net-Zero Targets: To reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 95% by 2040 from a 2020 base year, Chunghwa Telecom also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2045 from a 2021 base year.
In addition to SBTi net-zero target, Chunghwa Telecom has also actively responded to other international initiatives and set corresponding targets. Not only have we joined RE100[2] and made a commitment to use 100% renewable energy by 2040, and also became the first company in Taiwan telecommunications to join EV100[3], pledging to electrify all transportation vehicles by 2030. Through the strategies of ‘Technology Carbon Reduction’ and ‘Using Renewable Energy’, Chunghwa Telecom actively consolidates and effectively utilizes computer room space, improves energy efficiency with high-efficiency and energy-saving equipment, and at the same time builds new computer rooms with green and environmentally friendly materials and replaces them with high-efficiency base stations to achieve low-carbon operation goals.
Chunghwa Telecom's outstanding carbon reduction actions are obvious to all; the capacity of self-built solar generation equipment in 2023 reached 5,557kWp, compared with 2022, growth of nearly 20%; The purchased green electricity usage totaled 73.57 million kWh, and 73,541 renewable energy certificates (T-RECs) were obtained. Both the green electricity usage and the number of renewable energy certificates obtained far exceeded 2022, being three times as much as the previous year [4]. In addition to its own active actions, Chunghwa Telecom also promotes supply chain carbon reduction through collaboration at all levels, implements supplier carbon inventory and reduction, and jointly advocates net zero with key suppliers to promote product carbon footprint and carbon reduction. It also promotes the ICT industry to jointly move toward net-zero transformation.
Chunghwa Telecom's efforts in sustainable development have received many international recognitions, including last year's selection into the DJSI-World Index, where Chunghwa Telecom ranked first in the global telecommunications industry; CDP's climate change recognition at the highest level (A-list); and international sustainability ratings by S&P Global, where Chunghwa Telecom ranks among the top 5% of companies with global ESG scores. In June this year, we were selected by TIME magazine as one of the top 2% of world’s most sustainable companies for 2024. Chunghwa Telecom believes there are no shortcuts to sustainable development, only persistence in philosophy and sincere dedication without reservation. Chunghwa Telecom looks forward to working with its partners to achieve greater success.
1.The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a carbon reduction initiative jointly launched by several authoritative international organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). it aims to assist companies to use science-based methodology to set science-based carbon reduction targets and taking concrete measures to achieve carbon reduction results. The ultimate goal is to achieve the global climate goals of the United Nations Paris Agreement, substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to hold global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
2.RE100 is a global renewable energy initiative led by The Climate Group and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). It encourages companies with annual electricity consumption of more than 100 million kWh to participate in the commitment to use 100% renewable energy before 2050.
3.EV100 is a global electric vehicle initiative led by The Climate Group. The companies must publicly commit to use 100% of their own and contracted fleets to electric vehicles by 2030, and to install charging infrastructure for employees and customers.
4.In 2022, Chunghwa Telecom's green electricity usage totaled 24.05 million kWh and 24,029 renewable energy certificates (T-RECs) were obtained.
