Since 2016, the United Nations has used the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint and guide for sustainable development over the next 15 years, outlining 17 global sustainable development goals. Taiwan officially established the "Legislative Yuan UN Sustainable Development Advisory Committee" on September 26th of this year. Externally, this will be used to advance diplomacy; internally, policies will be reviewed based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating Taiwan's emphasis on global sustainable development trends. The Small and Medium Enterprise Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is also actively working to help 1.4 million SMEs connect with international standards, enabling Taiwanese companies to link to international markets and strengthen their sustainable development and green competitiveness. The "SME Green Little Giant Mentoring Program" serves as the main focus, guiding companies to become "Green Little Giants." Recently, in conjunction with the Taipei Main Station "Mobile Payment Shopping Festival," a showcase of annual achievements was presented under the theme "Sustainable Earth, Businesses Take Charge." Companies including Green Energy, Changxin Plastics, and Blue Whale International exhibited green and environmentally friendly products across food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment, bringing the concepts of "sustainability and circular economy" closer to people's lives and encouraging the public to value the green economy, consume green products, create green cash flow, and achieve green manufacturing. Experts from the Allen MacArthur Foundation, a global pioneer in circular economy thought, were recently invited to Taiwan and also emphasized the "new plastic economy," which aims to ensure that plastic never becomes waste through a complete cycle. The collaboration within the plastic product value chain, starting from the design stage, must consider the efficiency of recycling, sorting, and processing, evolving from a passive approach of simply "being recyclable" to a proactive concept of "recycling and reusing new products." This year, the "SME Green Little Giant Support Program" has supported 21 companies closely related to everyone's daily life. At the mobile payment shopping festival, the public can support Taiwanese green manufacturers by shopping online using mobile payment, such as purchasing Green Energy's "Energy-Saving Little Pills" and Qingjinghai Biotechnology's cleaning and beauty products via QR code. In addition, there are programs like Taitung's "Island Study Tour," which connects hermit crab marine ecology with Green Island tour design, implementing low-carbon tourism in the aspects of food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, education, and entertainment, and revitalizing Green Island's economic development and ecological protection efforts. Taiwan's largest car air freshener manufacturer, "Ruize Enterprise," in order to meet international brand requirements and implement corporate sustainability, established the "Alome Fairy Kingdom" perfume tourism factory this year, spreading fragrance to the world. Green concept day is gaining attention, and the government has actively encouraged SMEs in various industries to take action, seize this wave of green business opportunities, export green and environmentally friendly products and services overseas, and call on enterprises to stand up, love the earth, enhance brand value, and create more revenue. 21 "Green Little Giants" have joined forces to support a sustainable planet and give it a thumbs up! They have already successfully generated at least NT$1 billion in green output and are committed to making their mark on the world! The Small and Medium Enterprise Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs commissioned the Quality, Environmental and Safety Department of the Plastics Research Institute to implement the "SME Green Little Giant Guidance Program" to enhance the green competitiveness of enterprises. This program aims to assist manufacturers in meeting international environmental requirements and promoting green product design and marketing. If companies are further interested in green-related issues, they can visit the SME Green Environmental Protection Information Network at http://green.pidc.org.tw/index.php, or contact Hsieh Ming-kuei at 04-2359-5900 ext. 301; or email janet@pidc.org.tw for service details.
