Kaohsiung Unveils Net-Zero Institute: TÜV Rheinland Taiwan Joins Net Zero Talent Cultivation Program

The city of Kaohsiung in Taiwan has always been famed for its steel and petrochemical industries, but this has also meant high industrial carbon emissions. Kaohsiung is now working hard to achieve net zero through carbon reduction in response to growing international concern over climate change. The plaque unveiling ceremony for the Net Zero Institute was held at Kaohsiung Software Technology Park on November 6, 2023. President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the ceremony, at the same time announcing the formal launch of talent Cultivation Program, with Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai, Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che, Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu, Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan, the presidents of 18 universities, and industry representatives as witnesses. The Net Zero Institute plans to offer three courses on general knowledge, certification, and technology in collaboration with three international certification bodies including TÜV Rheinland. The goal is to cultivate 1,600 carbon management professionals with ISO certificates every year.

President Tsai stated that the net zero transformation is a social project with multiple dimensions and an emerging field that needs more people. The Net Zero Institute will help Taiwan build a stronger framework for its net zero foundation through better education and talent incubation. The President also expressed the hope that local governments can make an active contribution to net zero alongside industry transformation. By supporting the central government’s call for energy, lifestyle, and social transformation, Taiwan can achieve the goal of a net zero transformation by 2050.

The quality and diversity of carbon management courses currently available vary greatly. The certification courses offered by the certification bodies are in great demand by industry. This is why the Net Zero Institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with the top three international certification bodies (TÜV Rheinland, BSI, and DNV), with the Institute to offer a basic course while the certification bodies will offer certification courses. An intensive 3 to 5-day course that combines practical calculations and examination will speed up the process of cultivating ISO-qualified carbon management talent for businesses. Certification types will include ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2, ISO 14067, ISO 50001, and sustainability reporting. The courses will hopefully provide students with a varied and comprehensive curriculum.

Since the Climate Change Response Act took effect in February this year, the government has announced a series of related regulations on inventory, verification, and trading. The collection of carbon levies will also start in 2025. At the same time, the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will soon take effect. Kaohsiung is home to a diverse selection of industries that encompass the supply chains for the steel, petrochemical, hardware, fastener, and high-technology industries. More than 90 major carbon emitters and 700 screw/bolt makers will be greatly affected as a result, so there is bound to be tremendous future demand for net zero talent in the market. Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai has already directed the relevant heads and staff to attend net zero training courses, and has also encouraged businesses and members of the public to attend such courses to learn more about carbon trading, carbon inventory, and other relevant tasks.

TÜV Rheinland is a validation and verification body that has obtained Ministry of Environment approval to provide verification, training, and consultation services relating to net zero and carbon reduction. The company’s Kaohsiung Branch is continuing to upgrade its service capacity. At the same time, TÜV Rheinland will start the cooperation with the Net Zero Institute in early December this year to host a carbon inventory course for the Kaohsiung government and local businesses. The course will help align carbon management expertise within the City Hall and local industries with international standards, promote industry-university collaboration, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and contribute to the net zero transformation.