Implementing Visible Initiatives:
ECOVE’s Path to Net Zero

The climate change crisis is one of the most severe challenges facing the world today. Human activities and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions have led to significant alterations in the global climate system, changing weather patterns and causing profound impacts on ecosystems, economies, societies, politics, and cultures. Reducing GHG emissions through more tangible actions has become a goal across the sectors. A champion of resource circulation, ECOVE responds to global climate initiatives with concrete actions. In addition to completing the verification of GHG emissions for facilities under operational control, we actively conduct product carbon footprint verification and apply for carbon reduction labeling, demonstrating a commitment to achieving net-zero goals through visible actions.

Urgent Need for Global Climate Actions

Efforts to curb global warming culminated in the adoption of the Paris Agreement during the 2015 COP21 UN Climate Conference, with signatories committed to limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Yet this key climate target is jeopardized by GHG emissions. As global temperatures continue to reach record highs, the UN has warned that the era of warming is ending, and the world is enteringa “boiling era.” Taking Taiwan as an example, from 1990 to 2021, net greenhouse gas emissions have increased by about 140% (see chart below), with the average annual temperature rising by 0.78℃ and sea level by 9 cm.

Trends in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals in Taiwan from 1990 to 2021
(Source: “2023 Taiwan/Republic of China National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report” by the Ministry of Environment)

The “CLIMATE CHANGE 2023 Synthesis Report” by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that the global surface temperature rose by 1.1°C from 2011 to 2020 compared to the period between 1850 and 1900. In fact, it is likely that we will  reach the 1.5°C warming threshold between 2030 and 2035. If left unregulated, current intensive emissions will post significant challenge to the globe, resulting in a4.4°C temperature rise by the end of the 21st century. This will lead to more extreme weather, increased risks of extinction, human health hazards from heat, and food shortages (see chart below). Accelerating efforts to achieve net-zero emissions is therefore urgent and crucial. 

Impacts of Climate Change on Nature, Health, and Food Production
(Source: “CLIMATE CHANGE 2023 Synthesis Report” by the IPCC (WHO))

In alignment with the global net-zero goal for 2050, Taiwan is committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 24%±1% compared to the 2005 baseline by 2030. Moreover, Taiwan has launched a series of policies targeting four major transitional sectors: energy, industry, daily life, and society. The “Twelve Key Strategies” aim to foster technological innovation and R&D, supporting industrial green transitions. These efforts strive to promote economic growth while achieving long-term net-zero emissions targets.

Completing Organizational GHG Inventory Ahead of Policy Schedule

In the global net-zero transition, GHG management and carbon reduction actions are crucial means to achieve net-zero targets. In response to government policies on net-zero transition, starting from 2022, ECOVE has taken concrete actions to conduct organizational GHG inventories at sites under our operational control, setting decarbonization targets for 2030 and 2050. As a result, we were successfully certified for the updated ISO 14064-1:2018 greenhouse gas verification, highlighting strong net-zero momentum. It is worth noting that ECOVE exceeded the Financial Supervisory Commission's timeline for disclosing greenhouse gas inventory information by five years, demonstrating a proactive stance on climate action. 

With the 2022 inventory as a baseline, ECOVE has developed net-zero pathway and targets for 2030 and 2050, with a focus on Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions, such as those from electricity consumption) as outlined below:

I.Net Zero by 2030 for Organizational Headquarters and Office Locations

ECOVE has conducted a GHG inventory at the headquarters and office premises, with electricity in offices accounting for 95.6% of emissions and 4.4% from corporate vehicle fuel use. This information was used to create short, medium, and long-term reduction targets, aiming to reduce power consumption through energy-saving initiatives and gradually replace traditional vehicles with EVs, as outlined below. ECOVE plans to reduce emissions by 20% at the headquarters, office premises, and subsidiary headquarters buildings by 2024, and by 40% by 2026, progressively reaching net-zero emissions by 2030.

ECOVE’s Carbon Reduction Targets for Organizational Headquarters and Office Locations

II.Net-Zero Production Sites by 2050

ECOVE inventoried the operational attributes of sites under our operational control, categorizing production facilities into three types: recycling and reuse, renewable energy, and waste management. Based on the attributes and emissions of each site, short-, medium-, and long-term targets were developed This led to the initiation of various reduction projects. By 2026,a reduction of 15% is targeted, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

• Recycling and Reuse: In the recycling and reuse processes for waste isopropyl alcohol (IPA) facilities, the short-term strategy focuses on updating old equipment with low-energy consumption replacements. This includes adding frequency converters to enhance the efficiency of air compressors, cooling water towers, and exhaust fans. Further minimizing energy consumption is achieved with the implementation of an energy monitoring system. which tracks and adjusts equipment operation in real time. In the medium and long term, plans focus on adopting low-carbon processes and utilizing low-carbon fuels. Through the analysis of carbon emissions fromprocesses, low-carbon procedures are introduced to save energy. Energy transition solutions are also employed, substituting fossil fuels with low-carbon electricity to decrease emissions.
• Renewable Energy: Solar photovoltaics and energy storage. The inventory shows that the emissions sources for solar photovoltaic sites are primarily from purchased power. New projects will aim to reduce reliance on external electricity by generating power during the day. In the short term, green power from existing projects will be redirected to supply our facilities, where renewable energy certificates will be obtained. These certificates will facilitate meeting short-term reduction targets. In the medium to long term, the focus will continue to be on self-generated green power. By expanding self-sufficient power facilities, including solar and energy storage systems, dependence on external power grids will be progressively reduced. By aligning with Taipower’s carbon reduction targets, net-zero Scope 2 emissions is set to be reached by 2050.
• Waste Management: Primarily waste management and waste incineration. In waste management, the short-term goal is a 30% reduction in per-service emissions by 2030. Measures include replacing vehicles with eco-friendly options and optimizing waste collection and transportation management. The medium to long term focus on progressively purchasing electric or low-carbon energy vehicles, aimed for net-zero by 2050.

In waste incineration, the incineration process accounts for the majority of carbon emissions. Without accounting for the carbon reduction benefits of energy generation, these emissions contribute approximately 195,000 tons to ECOVE’s current indirect emissions. The primary sources are waste materials with high fossil carbon content such as plastics, certain textiles, rubber, liquid solvents, and waste oils. In the short term, efforts will be made to gradually reduce the proportion of waste containing fossil carbon through advocacy and support from the government, supplemented by energy transition to lower emissions. Diesel used for furnace operations will be replaced with biodiesel. Additionally, improvements in equipment will be made to enhance the plants’ overall energy efficiency, further reducing emissions associated with waste management services. In the medium to long term, plans are in place to actively introduce carbon capture and related technologies and initiate experiments and pilot plant constructions, with a constant focus on new technologies in reaching net-zero goals.

Active Pursuit of Product Carbon Footprint Verification and Carbon Reduction Labeling

In carbon footprint verification, ECOVE has achieved commendable results for incineration operations. Our Miaoli, Keelung, Gangshan, and Xizhou incineration plants have successfully obtained the ISO 14067:2018 verification statement. Notably, the Xizhou plant has set a record for the lowest carbon footprint in waste processing services across Taiwan, with an average carbon emissions of 141 kg per ton of waste processed. Meanwhile, the Miaoli plant, with its excellent carbon reduction achievements in fulfilling the requirement for over 3% reduction within three years, has obtained the carbon reduction label. Additionally, the Miaoli plant has assisted the Environmental Protection Administration in establishing the Product Category Rules (PCR) for “Waste Treatment Services” as a standard for waste treatment companies when applying for carbon labels.

ECOVE will use the verification results to define reduction strategies for emission hotspots and continue integrating technology to enhance resource recycling efficiency, which will be expanded into carbon footprint verification for products in other sectors.

Partnering with Clients to Realize Sustainability

Faced with the immense challenge of global climate change, pursuing net-zero emissions has become a global consensus. Against this backdrop, ECOVE actively practices circular economy principles, conserving every bit of resource. We not only strive to enhance resource reuse efficiency in firm strides towards net-zero emissions, but also provide eco-friendly, low-carbon quality services across our services. Collaborating with clients to advance global sustainability initiatives.