To meet the looming, multifaceted threat of global climate change, countries around the world have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In Taiwan, the Climate Change Response Act states the country must achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In line with national policy, the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) is actively pursuing the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In May, TIPC President Shao-liang Chen convened a meeting on TIPC’s carbon reduction pathway and blueprint where he not only reiterated TIPC’s commitment to the national government’s zero-emissions policy but also encouraged TIPC partners to work with the company to reduce carbon emissions to ensure a sustainable, green, and smart future for Taiwan’s international commercial ports.

Referencing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and peer commercial ports overseas, TIPC sets the target to be carbon neutral in its own operation and in the overall port area in 2035 and 2050, respectively. These targets will be achieved through utilizing the following seven measures: energy resource restructuring, resource allocation, vehicle electrification, clean shipping, facility upgrades, and changes to organizational behavior. Ongoing initiatives include mandating reduced in-port vessel speed limits, setting up smart energy management systems, and installing 209 shore power outlets, which, by 2022, were collectively responsible for saving 132,000mt of carbon emissions. Since vessels are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions at Taiwan’s ports, all TIPC workboats rely exclusively on shore-power-supplied electricity rather than combustion engines while on standby. Looking ahead, port businesses as well as container and cruise ships will be incentivized to increasingly utilize shore power in their operations to further reduce vessel-related carbon emissions.

Following a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions inventory, TIPC identified electrical power as its primary (90%) source of carbon emissions. To improve both the cleanliness and self-sufficiency of its operations, TIPC has already begun purchasing green electricity, and assessing the potential for generating sustainable power onsite, and will establish priority electricity supply agreements with in-port solar power generators and other suppliers of renewable energy. TIPC aims to use 100% green electricity to power its main offices by 2030, which, in line with RE100 standards, should represent an annual savings of 24,780mt in CO2 emissions.

Regarding TIPC’s overall carbon neutral goal for 2050, the Port of Hualien will serve as TIPC’s carbon-neutral test bed, with an initial inventory conducted to guide development and implementation of the port’s low-carbon transformation plan. The port of Hualien’s experience will subsequently be tweaked and replicated at TIPC’s other ports.

TIPC also noted that, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, its subsidiary ports group must adopt appropriately diverse and flexible measures to keep in step with both established timelines and sustainable development goals. Also, careful management and incentives will be critical to creating close cooperation with businesses stationed in the port on carbon reduction. To hasten the transition of port businesses to carbon-neutral operations, TIPC will hold regular meetings with these businesses to share the latest information on carbon management. Furthermore, TIPC will use awards and incentives to encourage these businesses to make good on commitments about using a minimum threshold of renewable energy and migrating over to electric-powered vehicles and equipment. TIPC is committed to advocating for and discussing partnerships for carbon reduction with both its employees and stakeholders, with the goal of fulfilling our responsibilities to the environment while realizing mutual benefit and prosperity.