National Chi Nan University Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy

Summary

In the wake of the environmental damages caused by the greenhouse effect, the urgency of reducing emissions has become a pressing global concern. The pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions has emerged as an international imperative. National Chi Nan University (NCNU) is actively engaging with this international consensus on Net Zero Emissions, placing talent cultivation at its core. Together, NCNU is spearheading campus-wide carbon reduction initiatives, leveraging innovative approaches and the associated benefits. Through these proactive measures and integrated promotional efforts, the aim is to foster sustainable innovation and build momentum toward achieving a net-zero future.

Introduction

On Earth Day, April 22, 2022, President Tsai Ing-Wen of Taiwan declared that achieving net-zero transformation by 2050 is a global and Taiwanese objective. In pursuit of this goal, it is essential to implement energy transformation firmly and assess associated risks proactively. In line with a forward-thinking, pragmatic approach, a pathway for achieving net-zero emissions has been proposed, providing a clear trajectory for the overall economic restructuring process. NCNU is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities and has developed three pivotal strategies in response to the government's call for "net-zero emissions." These strategies encompass establishing well-defined carbon emission targets, adopting a green growth strategy, and fostering collaboration with the public sector and enterprises. Through the implementation of these strategies, NCNU seeks to raise awareness among its faculty and students about the urgent climate change crisis. Simultaneously, the university aims to instill a disaster prevention and management mindset to create a secure, sustainable, and resilient environment, actively contributing to the realization of the country's sustainable development goals and fulfilling its fundamental social responsibility.

The Significance of Advancing Net-Zero Carbon Emissions and the Value of Embracing Net-Zero Living

1. Frequent Extreme Climate Disasters Emphasize the Urgency of Achieving Net-Zero Emission Goals

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6) in February 2022. The report warns that global temperatures are anticipated to surge by 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next two decades. Such warming trends will elevate the risks associated with a spectrum of climate-related hazards, including extreme climate disasters, prolonged heatwaves, and a decline in biodiversity, which will affect regions worldwide. The repercussions extend to such sectors as energy production, water resources, and food security while also resulting in the displacement of numerous communities and the disruption of natural habitats.

Furthermore, the United Nations Climate Change Conference has issued a call for more immediate and intensive climate action. The objective is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by half before the year 2030, with the ultimate aim of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious agenda is designed to curtail the rise in global temperatures to within a 1.5°C threshold to mitigate the high-risk impact stemming from the ongoing global climate crisis.

2. The Global Shift Toward Net-Zero Emissions Demands the Cultivation of "Net-Zero Talents"

Many countries have established net-zero emission targets in response to the global trend towards achieving net-zero emissions. In line with this movement, the European Union has introduced the "Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)," which mandates that imported products provide CBAM certificates based on their carbon content. This initiative aims to accelerate carbon reduction processes in each country. Furthermore, prominent international manufacturers have embraced the RE100 initiative, committing to corporate net-zero emission goals and urging their supply chain partners to adopt green energy and intensify carbon reduction efforts. As a nation with a strong focus on exports, Taiwan is inevitably confronted with the challenge of increasingly stringent international carbon regulations. To align with the prevailing global trend toward carbon reduction in international trade, Taiwan must proactively strategize and plan its transformation toward net-zero carbon emissions.

NCNU bears the responsibility of advancing academic research, fostering talent, serving society, and contributing to national development. The university is dedicated to nurturing "net-zero talents" through a comprehensive approach that includes internal research, educational programs, the promotion of net-zero literacy, and the establishment of green energy initiatives. These strategies align with global trends and respond to national policies.

3. The Importance of Embracing Net-Zero Living

Greenhouse gas emissions ultimately stem from the utilization of products and services that fulfill the daily needs of the public. Lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in determining carbon emissions, making it clear that behavioral change in our everyday lives is key to initiating the transition to net-zero emissions.

The path toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions encompasses a broad and profound spectrum. To convey the essence of "net-zero carbon emissions by 2043" effectively to the university's faculty and students, it is essential to present it in an accessible manner, highlighting the following key points:

• Collective Goal: Net-zero carbon emissions represent a shared objective embraced by both the global community and Taiwan.
• Collective Responsibility: The net-zero pathway is designed to secure the future for the next generation and foster sustainable development in Taiwan. Everyone should feel an unwavering sense of responsibility towards this shared goal.
• Collective Action: It is essential to clarify the various components of diverse carbon reduction strategies to society, with a particular focus on students and the younger generation. This clarification should encompass a comprehensive description of the strategies and their feasibility, cost-effectiveness, impacts on people's livelihoods and industries, and the potential ripple effects resulting from their implementation.

NCNU's Net-Zero Pathway Promotion Scenarios

I. Current Greenhouse Gas Emission Status at NCNU

In 2021, NCNU's total greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 5,547 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), representing a reduction of approximately 25% compared to the base year of 2011 (7,365 MtCO₂e). Among these emissions, carbon dioxide (CO₂) constituted the largest portion, followed by methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

II. Paving the Way for Future Comprehensive Net-Zero Planning

1. Short-Term Low-Carbon Goals (~2030)

1. Establish the NCNU Sustainable Development Committee to oversee all aspects of sustainable development and decarbonization governance at NCNU.
2. Implement currently feasible carbon reduction measures and actively lower Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 carbon emissions.
3. Develop campus green energy sources, with a primary focus on mature solar photovoltaic systems, aiming to reach a total installed capacity of 8 MWp.
4. Install rooftop solar PV arrays to reduce direct sunlight exposure, create thermal insulation layers, and lower top-floor indoor temperatures.
5. Integrate UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators into general education curricula to foster sustainability literacy among faculty and students.
6. Introduce ESG-specialized programs to nurture talents equipped with green management and carbon accounting expertise for the corporate sector.
7. Expand the fleet of shared electric motorcycles to increase the adoption of low-carbon transportation.
8. Introduce autonomous electric campus shuttle buses connecting all campus stations with free rides.
9. Deploy smart digital electricity meters across the campus to enable fine-grained electricity demand management for all departments and units.
10. Innovate food waste conversion technologies to facilitate on-campus organic waste recycling.
11. Completely upgrade campus lighting infrastructure by transitioning entirely to energy-efficient LED fixtures.
12. Replace outdated, energy-intensive air conditioning units with modern, certified energy-efficient models.
13. Sustain afforestation, tree care, and forest rejuvenation across 100 hectares of campus forest carbon sinks (projected to sequester 1,000 MtCO₂e).
14. Enforce a campus-wide restriction on single-use plastic products to mitigate environmental impacts from petrochemical plastics.

2. Long-Term Advancement Towards Net-Zero Carbon Emissions (~2043)

1. Transition all official university vehicles to pure electric vehicles (projected reduction of 34 MtCO₂e).
2. Assume full ownership and operational control of all rooftop solar facilities upon the expiration of solar leasing contracts to achieve 100% self-consumed green electricity.
3. Integrate smart energy management, green building standards, and sustainable low-carbon construction methods into all new building projects.
4. Implement an intelligent campus management system to automatically optimize power distribution schedules based on academic and operational calendars.
5. Enforce strict campus vehicle entry controls by restricting non-electric and non-hybrid fuel vehicles from entering the campus grounds.
6. Promote a campus-wide "Meat-Free Vegetarian Friday" and encourage pedestrian commuting to reduce dietary and transport carbon footprints.
7. Continuously audit and replace energy-intensive electromechanical systems to maintain high energy efficiency.
8. Collaborate with public and private sector partners to advance cross-sector tree-planting, carbon sequestration, and forest carbon credit projects.

Conclusion

In alignment with the evolving landscape of national energy policies and the national 2050 net-zero pathway, National Chi Nan University is firmly committed to achieving "Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2043." Serving as a role model for sustainability in higher education, NCNU integrates institutional governance, renewable energy self-sufficiency, intelligent technological management, and daily lifestyle transformation to empower faculty and students to translate concepts into action, making significant contributions toward Taiwan's sustainable net-zero future.