Overview

After UMC completed first carbon trading transaction recognized by the Ministry of Environment (formerly the Environmental Protection Administration) in 2014, the Company participated in the inaugural carbon credit exchange in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Company hopes to leverage its sustainable influence by supporting carbon reduction projects, advancing low-carbon production technology, achieving innovations in industrial development, and driving the green economic cycle.

In 2023, the Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) was officially established and launched its international carbon credit exchange platform. The TCX International Carbon Credit Trading Platform has listed 7 carbon credit projects in the initial batch. UMC’s purchase of international carbon credits will finance Clean Water programs, which focus on assisting local residents to obtain clean drinking water sources by restoring wells and related facilities in African countries. It contributes to carbon reduction by eliminating the need to burn wood for water boiling and sterilization. Additionally, it ameliorates the plight of women in rural areas who must otherwise devote considerable time and energy searching for clean water sources. Meanwhile, this purchase achieves multiple United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Climate Action.

TCX Chairman Sherman Lin (left) confers the Initial Trade Certificate to UMC’s vice president of public affairs, Linwu Kuo (right)

UMC has long supported the Ministry of Environment (formerly the Environmental Protection Administration) in its efforts to combat carbon emissions; it joined the Greenhouse Gas Early Action Program in 2013 and the Reduction Projects in 2020, through which it executed specific carbon reduction measures to obtain reduction credits (carbon credits). UMC will continue to develop diverse low-carbon resources and strive to implement each carbon reduction item outlined in the Pathway to Net-zero Emissions. It will incorporate carbon management into its operational strategy, develop advanced foundry process technology, increase its ratio of renewable energy use, invest in emerging carbon reduction technologies, and deploy carbon assets with an aim to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment and society. Moreover, the Company will continue to join hands with industrial, government, and academic sectors for cooperation and exchange. Through these actions, UMC will strengthen its ability to address climate change-related risks and opportunities, elevate its operational competitive advantage, and achieve its vision of sustainable development.

UMC’s three resolutions to achieve net-zero emissions