The Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce held the "Commercial Services Industry Unites to Achieve Net Zero Emissions Initiative" today (the 21st). Fifteen Taiwanese service providers, including leading department store Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, large-scale hypermarket operator RT-Mart, and chain retailer National Electronics, pledged their net zero commitments. They hope to invite consumers to join them in promoting lifestyle transformation, with the goal of saving 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and reducing 8,000 tons of carbon emissions by 2023. The providers stated that they will improve energy efficiency through store renovations, replacing high-energy-consuming equipment, and adopting energy-efficient air conditioners.
Fifteen commercial service providers are focusing on energy-efficient air conditioning and lighting equipment, aiming to save 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity this year.
The businesses participating in the initiative today include 15 companies in the department store industry (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Far Eastern Department Store, Global Shopping Center, Pacific Sogo Department Store, Taipei 101), hypermarkets (RT-Mart, Meilishi, National Electronics), convenience stores (President Enterprises, Lai Lai), catering industry (Xiangbin Hospitality, Maiweideng, Liujiao International, Doufu Catering) and logistics industry (President Express). They jointly declared that they will save 16 million kWh of electricity and reduce 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2023, which is equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of 21 Daan Forest Parks in an entire year.
Business operators have proposed specific measures to save electricity and improve energy efficiency. National Electronics will promote 100 more stores to replace energy-saving LED lamps and implement store temperature control, which is expected to save 200,000 kWh of electricity; Lai Lai Convenience Store plans to formulate an energy-saving lighting assessment for its stores and replace energy-saving lighting equipment in 900 physical stores; President Convenience Store also announced that it will save up to 4.79 million kWh of electricity through store renovation (REMODEL), including switching to LED indoor lighting, replacing high-energy-consuming equipment, and using air conditioners with a first-class energy-saving label and refrigerators with environmentally friendly refrigerants.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched an energy-saving subsidy program for businesses large and small.
At a promotional event today, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Meihua and representatives from various businesses planted green plants, symbolizing their concerted efforts to build a sustainable business environment for the green services industry. Wang Meihua stated that ESG, or carbon reduction, has become a crucial component of businesses striving to enhance their competitiveness. Furthermore, while carbon emissions from the commercial services industry are not as high as those from the manufacturing sector, they are frontline consumers, so industry awareness of carbon reduction has a significant impact on the general consumer.
To assist businesses in their low-carbon transition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched the "Commercial Service Industry Energy Conservation Subsidy Program," which encourages the replacement of old energy-consuming equipment and provides energy-saving diagnostic services to help businesses manage energy more efficiently. Wang Weicheng, Assistant Director of the Innovation and Manufacturing Department of the Zhongwei Development Center, explained that the subsidy program is divided into two categories: an "Equipment Replacement Subsidy" and a "System Energy Conservation Project." Small businesses or franchised stores looking to replace lighting or air conditioning systems can choose the former, while businesses with large air conditioners, refrigerators, or boilers can opt for the latter, which provides government assistance with system integration or the implementation of an energy management system (EMS).
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/236578)
