Overview

UMC recently participated in the first-ever S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Awards Ceremony held in Taiwan, where leading figures from the semiconductor, telecommunications, finance, and electronics manufacturing sectors gathered to discuss how core business strategies can drive sustainable transformation. The event highlighted efforts in innovative governance, cross-sector collaboration, and resource integration—collectively propelling Taiwanese industry toward a net-zero future.

UMC distinguished itself by achieving an outstanding score of 95 in S&P Global’s renowned Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), placing in the top 1% worldwide and earning the highest score among all awarded companies. Senior Vice President TS Wu accepted the award on behalf of UMC and was invited to join the yearbook panel discussion, where he shared UMC's core ESG strategies and results.

According to Mr. Wu, UMC has deeply integrated sustainability into its daily operations, ensuring that sustainability frameworks are intertwined with business processes. He emphasized the close partnership between the sustainability and finance teams, ensuring robust financial support for sustainability initiatives. Notably, UMC has signed a long-term contract for 30 billion kWh of offshore wind power and invested NT$1.8 billion to establish the Circular Economy Resource Center—materializing green energy transition and local prosperity.

Mr. Wu stressed that only when sustainability becomes a shared value inside the organization can it truly catalyze industry-wide advancement. UMC’s sustainability governance is overseen directly by the Board, with dedicated ESG steering committees led by the President. Sustainability serves as the backbone for integrating operations, legal, and finance, enabling top-down and cross-functional engagement. All major sustainability proposals undergo rigorous financial review and cross-departmental evaluation—ensuring consensus and alignment across the company, as exemplified by UMC's multi-billion NT dollar investments in renewable energy and the circular economy.

Turning to partners, UMC has implemented structured systems for sustainability assessment, support, and phased incentives. In 2024, 718 Tier 1 suppliers supporting UMC’s core operations participated in the company’s ESG risk assessments, achieving a 100% completion rate. Since 2022, UMC has invested NT$100 million to provide free carbon assessments, counseling, and third-party verifications for suppliers—covering over 400 companies. By 2030, this initiative was on track to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon emissions. UMC’s approach—“from footprint to handprint”—reflects the company’s commitment to growing together with its partners and delivering on the promise of net-zero progress.