Fubon Financial

The inaugural International Sustainable Master Forum and Academic Symposium aims to promote the development of a green economy

Fubon Financial Holdings has long been committed to global sustainable development issues. As the international community increasingly recognizes the severe threats posed by climate change and the inequities in global food distribution, Fubon Financial Holdings, in collaboration with Taiwan Mobile and Fu Jen Catholic University, has initiated the 'Sustainable Development Navigation Program.' This partnership aims to leverage the strengths of academia and industry to address research and applications related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12, which focuses on “promoting a green economy and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns”, thereby enhancing global sustainable production and consumption capabilities.

On April 24 and 25, the '2025 Sustainability Forum and International Conference' will be held, focusing on the theme of 'Realization of Responsible Consumption and Production: Innovations and Transitions in Circular Economy.' Esteemed experts from various sectors, including Barney Glover, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, and Professor Way Kuo from City University of Hong Kong, will participate in the event, which is expected to attract over 3,000 attendees both in-person and online. Jerry Hsu, Chief Risk Officer of Fubon Financial Holdings, will deliver a keynote speech during the fourth session on 'Sustainable Finance,' discussing Fubon Financial Holdings’ leading ESG strategies and practical outcomes in sustainable finance. In addition, Professor Stefan Strassner from Technische Hochschule Wildau will present on the sustainable finance regulations in the European Union and Germany to facilitate a discussion on key issues in sustainable finance.

Daniel M. Tsai, Chairman of Fubon Group, stated that the 'Sustainable Development Navigation Program' spans six years and focuses on themes such as sustainable finance, product circularity, green innovation, and global green supply chains. The program aims to connect international trends and actions related to SDG 12 'Responsible Consumption and Production' through international master lectures, conferences, and the signing of international industry-academic cooperation and research agreements. It is hoped that this initiative will enhance the awareness of internal and external stakeholders regarding environmental management policies and impacts, continuously reduce negative environmental effects, and actively cultivate future leaders in sustainable development.

Richard M. Tsai, Chairman of Fubon Financial Holdings, stated that since 2015, the company has fully initiated the 'Sustainable Management ESG Vision Project.' In 2021, it outlined four key ESG strategies: decarbonization, digitalization, empowerment, and connection. Furthermore, by 2024, it aims to establish a green finance target of NT$2.91 trillion by 2030, actively leveraging its financial influence to assist customers in driving sustainable transformation. The company also promotes sustainable investment and financing, sustainable insurance, risk management, inclusive financial services and products, as well as financial education and advocacy, using financial resources to guide Taiwan's industries towards sustainable transformation and generate positive societal impact. Additionally, it continues to enhance its climate change management to effectively implement Science Based Targets (SBT).

Dr. Francis Yi-Chen Lan, President of Fu Jen Catholic University, stated that as a pontifical university, Fu Jen adheres to the principles outlined in the papal encyclical 'Laudato Si', developing a sustainable strategy for institutional advancement. By harnessing the expertise of global sustainability specialists, the university aims to integrate sustainability into campus culture, the Wanzai University Town, and even on an international scale, creating a sustainable platform focused on 'Earth, Humanity, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership'. This initiative includes the promotion of a climate action living laboratory, with the goal of gradually achieving a carbon-neutral ecological campus. In addition, innovative teaching policies have been planned and implemented, such as allowing incoming students in the 2025 academic year to complete a sustainability course to qualify for international certification.

Jerry Hsu, Chief Risk Officer of Fubon Financial Holdings, highlighted during the forum that the COP29 in 2024 was designated as the 'Finance COP'. This emphasizes the global shift towards a low-carbon economy and the implementation of net-zero transformations, with funding being a crucial element. The financial industry has a significant role in directing capital to appropriate avenues, encapsulated in the phrase 'Finance for better future'. Fubon Financial Holdings is committed to sustainability through four key strategies: decarbonization, digitalization, empowerment, and connection. The company actively promotes low-carbon investments and insurance, offers various low-carbon products and services, and engages in ESG discussions. In recent years, it has pioneered several initiatives to assist the government and industries in achieving net-zero goals, including Taipei Fubon Bank's role as the lead manager for the issuance of NT$10 billion in sustainable development bonds for the Taipei City Government, marking the first instance of sustainable bond issuance by a government entity. Additionally, Taipei Fubon Bank has initiated a corporate green electricity group purchase, a first in the financial industry, while Fubon Insurance has become the first property insurance company in Taiwan to commit to net-zero underwriting by 2050. Furthermore, Fubon Financial Holdings is enhancing sustainability awareness both internally and externally, having conducted engagement workshops for two consecutive years on SBT and sustainable economic activity recognition guidelines to assist corporate partners in their sustainability transitions. Internally, the establishment of the 'Fubon Sustainability Club' aims to strengthen employees' knowledge of sustainability and foster cohesion, thereby reinforcing the company's sustainable DNA.

Fubon Financial Holdings has consistently supported academic research and shown concern for net-zero transformation issues. Over the years, it has promoted sustainable development in Taiwan through various academic collaboration initiatives. Since 2016, Fubon Financial Holdings, in partnership with the Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation and the Risk Society and Policy Research Center at National Taiwan University, has organized the 'Globalization Lecture' annually, which was renamed in 2023 to the 'Fubon Sustainable Future Forum.' This initiative continues to align with international standards, broadening its focus on critical topics such as net-zero transformation and transitional justice, while fostering a consensus on sustainable development within Taiwanese society and calling for collective efforts towards a sustainable transformation in the future.

In addition, to align with Taiwan's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Fubon Financial Holdings, in collaboration with Taiwan Mobile and the Academia Sinica, signed a 'Net-Zero Technology Research and Development Incentive Cooperation Agreement' in 2023. They jointly sponsored NT$10 million to support the research and development of net-zero technologies in green energy, including turquoise hydrogen, geothermal energy, and ocean energy. Various net-zero technologies have achieved significant milestones, with turquoise hydrogen technology successfully integrated into small commercial power generation units, and progress made in ocean energy through ocean current detection and the manufacturing of tidal turbine generators.

Looking ahead, Fubon Financial Holdings will continue to actively engage in various industry-academic collaboration opportunities to address the challenges posed by climate change, striving to accelerate Taiwan's goal of achieving net-zero emissions and promoting a sustainable future.