As the challenge of climate change continues to grow, preserving ecosystems and natural environments has become a crucial part of achieving sustainable development.

Moving forward on its commitment to protecting biodiversity, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd (TSMC) has launched the “Eco Plus! – Ecological Harmony Program”, which integrates internal and external resources to connect fragmented biological habitats, enhance species survival, and establish a reward system to support potential talents and important ecological research on biodiversity. The plan aims to accelerate positive action on ecological restoration and nature education in three key aspects: habitat, species, and knowledge.

TSMC is committed to creating a balance between technology and the environment. In order to ensure sustainability of ecosystems and maintain biodiversity, TSMC conducted the “Dependencies and Impacts on Nature and Biodiversity Assessment” for its fabs in 4Q 2022.

In 2023, TSMC also issued a “Biodiversity Statement,” promising to adopt impact mitigation measures of “Avoidance, Minimization, Restoration, and Offset” to maintain biodiversity. This year, on the International Day for Biological Diversity, TSMC launched the “Eco Plus! – Ecological Harmony Program” which deepens and broadens ecological conservation measures and rare species restoration around its fabs. The program also expands collaboration with government agencies, non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and corporate partners, not only building on existing actions to strengthen strategies and efficiencies, but also promoting education and empowerment for green conservation initiatives.

“As a global leader in the semiconductor industry, we recognize our commitment to environmental and ecological conservation can play a key role in driving the overall industry supply chain to take action. TSMC is excited to take the responsibility of spearheading the call to action and integrating resources between industry, government, academia, and research partners. On this meaningful day, we are pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Eco Plus! – Ecological Harmony Program’. We hope to introduce similar initiatives at all our global operational sites to fully realize our vision of symbiosis between technology and ecology,” said TSMC Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chairperson of the ESG Committee, Lora Ho.

The TSMC “Eco Plus! – Ecological Harmony Program” covers three key aspects: habitat, species, and knowledge. The program will start with the areas around TSMC’s Taichung fabs, working with the Observer Ecological Consulting Co. to link fragmented biological habitats along the Fazi River and Dadu Mountain, promote eco-friendly farming, construct green belts, improve corridor structures, and implement stream-friendly management to enhance habitat conservation and protect low-elevation mountain areas. In addition to ongoing efforts in reforestation and ecological conservation of rare species, the program will expand to include the conservation of six endangered species, including the ring-necked pheasant, squalidus banarescui, eastern grass owl, pangolin, leopard cat, and yellow pond turtle, to strengthen the foundation of biodiversity.

“The biodiversity crisis has become a serious global challenge. We hope that TSMC’s investment in Taiwan’s low-elevation mountain protection will inspire more companies to respond and jointly build a national ecological network,” said Observer Ecological Consultant General Manager Yu-Po Huang.

In the key area of knowledge, TSMC aims to promote the natural and environmental education strategy stated in its Biodiversity Statement. The Company will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Biodiversity Research Center and the Wild Bird Society of Taiwan to establish biodiversity awards to encourage academic and research institutions, graduate students, and ecology-related student clubs to propose conservation research and projects. TSMC will also invite research institutes, non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations to action plans for these projects. The goal is to support and cultivate up to 96 promising ecological scholars and 63 critical ecological research projects. TSMC will also hold a biodiversity exchange seminar to promote interdisciplinary communication and build connections with international talent. Furthermore, TSMC will promote citizen scientists through the “eBird Taiwan” database and “iNaturalist” and establish a life-long ecological education strategy to sow the seeds for environmental concern and ecological protection awareness. TSMC will also invest in the development of the “Merlin App” birdsong recognition tool and AI species recognition system to deepen and expand Taiwan’s ecological database and promote biodiversity mainstreaming.

“’Taking action on biodiversity mainstreaming’ is the main theme of our collaboration with TSMC. Through the establishment of scholarships and the promotion of iNaturalist, we hope to raise public awareness and encourage all sectors to participate in biodiversity conservation and work together to protect Taiwan’s beautiful ecology,” said Jia-Dong Yang, Director of the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture.

“Promoting the Taiwan Bird Atlas project and strengthening the Merlin birdsong recognition system are important milestones for Taiwan’s citizen science. TSMC’s support has given us more momentum to deepen public participation and awareness of biodiversity and promote conservation work,” said Taiwan Wild Bird Federation Secretary-General Yi-Wei Lyu.

By: DocMemory
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