The NCKU Alumni Association UK, in collaboration with 《The Icons》, an international celebrity magazine from Singapore, hosted the “2023 Taiwan-UK Sustainable Development Forum” on the 16th of London time at Birkbeck, University of London. This forum was organized under the guidance of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, bringing together entrepreneurs, scholars, and elites from the UK, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and various European countries to discuss solutions and engage in cross-border exchanges on sustainability issues.

SDGs Index Taiwan Organizer and former Cheng Kung University President Professor Huey-Jen Jenny Su, emphasized the importance of addressing issues like climate change from the perspective of higher education, focusing on the cultivation of sustainable talents. Professor Su encouraged NCKU’s alumni worldwide, including second and third generations, to contemplate sustainability issues based on their local observations and contribute to SDGs goals in cross-national issues and events.

Leslie Yu-Pei Tsai, CEO of the NCKU Future Smart Factory, highlighted NCKU’s global efforts in promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and SDGs issues, including core working groups such as “Forest Carbon Sink ESG,” “D4Climate Digital Climate Action,” “Campus Experimental Finance,” “University Impact Sustainability Index,” and “Impact Investment.” These initiatives will continue to be developed, and alumni from various countries are encouraged to work alongside their alma mater to promote global sustainability.

Dr. Dorothy Wei-Hua Chien, Chair of the Global Corporate Sustainability Development Promotion Committee, emphasized the importance of sustainable leadership thinking. He stressed the significance of “supply chain dialogues” in bridging communication between upstream and downstream manufacturers in the industry, focusing on the exchange of sustainable issues to collectively establish a sustainable net-zero mindset. Additionally, Dr. Chien highlighted the importance of internal sustainability thinking within organizations, enhancing the understanding of sustainability issues from board members to grassroots employees. This internal cultivation is expected to lead to ongoing refinements and strategies aimed at optimizing net-zero outcomes.

Shane Dai, Director of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Youth Committee and a long-term advocate for European sustainability issues, pointed out that early corporate social responsibility was merely charitable actions or donations from partial profits. Modern corporations need to focus on the three facets of ESG, as it not only enhances their image but also directly affects their financing capabilities and tax planning. In an era of increasing global population, intensifying climate change, and inflation issues, more capital is inclined towards companies that align with ESG standards. Companies neglecting this trend risk resource scarcity and decreased market competitiveness.

Sandra Cho, President of the NCKU Alumni Association UK, expressed his honor in collaborating with 《The Icons》 to hold the “2023 Taiwan-UK Sustainable Development Forum.” The event gathered influential figures from various fields worldwide who are pioneers in ESG and SDGs sustainability issues. They shared forward-looking insights and experiences to create a prosperous future that values human well-being and Earth sustainability. The NCKU Alumni Association in the UK is committed to assisting scholars in staying current and strengthening the connection between alumni and their alma mater, fully utilizing the role of overseas alumni associations.

Furthermore, Harry Hsu, a director of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Youth Committee and CEO of《The Icons》, stressed that promoting global sustainability issues must start with leaders, whether in corporations, international organizations, or economies. Only when decision-makers have a consensus can these issues be effectively implemented. Additionally, Hsu pointed out that in the current critical situation of sustainability issues, the concept of doing good without seeking recognition should be discarded. Leaders from all sectors must maximize the dissemination of their concrete actions or visions related to ESG and SDGs across borders to create a greater positive impact.

The post The 2023 Taiwan-UK Sustainable Development Forum Took Place, with the NCKU Alumni Association UK Raising Awareness about Sustainability among Overseas Chinese Communities first appeared on The Icons.

According to Booking.com’s “2022 Sustainable Travel Report,” 86% of travelers express a concern for sustainable travel. Additionally, 54% of travelers indicate that they have been influenced by climate change issues recently, leading them to take recent climate change issues into account when making travel decisions. Furthermore, a significant 70% of global tourists state that whether actively seeking it or not, they tend to prefer sustainable accommodations.

The CEO of Hotel Royal, FANG-ZHENG SHEN, has also mentioned, “Hotels must be pioneers in the sustainable industry. In terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, there are many cooperating vendors and suppliers. The materials chosen and items used can gradually steer the industry towards a circular path if brands with sustainable concepts or environmental certifications are selected.”

Eco-Friendly Initiatives Gain Momentum: Sustainable Travel Certifications Launched by Accommodation Giants and Government

To keep up with this trend, several big names in the accommodation industry, such as Agoda and Booking.com, have introduced their own sustainability certifications. Among these players, Booking.com was a frontrunner, initiating its sustainable travel program back in 2021 and then rolling out a fresh hierarchy of “Sustainable Travel Badges” just last year.

This innovative approach isn’t just about informing travelers about accommodations’ sustainability efforts, but also about setting clear, step-by-step goals for establishments transitioning to sustainable practices. This gradual approach assists them in working towards the ultimate certification.

Hence, Booking.com is also expanding its acceptance of third-party certifications and badges. This means that accommodations with these certifications can now automatically qualify for its coveted “Sustainable Travel Badge.”

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Administration has introduced the “Green Hotel – Environmental Certification” program. This program assesses factors like environmental management, energy and water conservation, sustainable procurement, waste reduction, and pollution prevention. Hotels are classified as Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on their efforts, incentivizing them to actively adopt sustainability measures.

Simultaneously, there is another relatively achievable and straightforward assistance initiative known as the “Green Hotel – Environmental Promotion Program.” Under this scheme, operators encourage guests to engage in eco-friendly behavior and offer incentives in return. Accommodations that meet the criteria can display the Green Hotel sign at their entrances, attracting environmentally-conscious travelers. 

Leading Hotel Chains Take Bold Steps Towards Sustainability with Ambitious Carbon Reduction Targets

Besides accommodation platforms and small-scale inns, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) emphasizes the role of major hotel chains in contributing to sustainability. They are embracing the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to employ scientific methods to determine reasonable carbon reduction targets for specific hotels, thereby facilitating sustainable operations. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has set a carbon reduction target for 2030 that spans its 14 brands and over 5,300 hotels. Their goal is to decrease total carbon emissions by 61%. Similarly, Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel group, has accelerated its timeline for achieving carbon reduction and resource reduction targets to 2025. By that time, their portfolio of over 6,500 hotels aims to achieve a 30% reduction in total carbon emissions, a 45% reduction in waste generation, and a 15% decrease in water usage. These measures all underscore their commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

As the tourism industry’s emphasis on sustainability continues to grow, it’s foreseeable that more and more accommodation providers will join the ranks of sustainable travel in the future. At the same time, we look forward to travelers prioritizing eco-certifications when choosing lodgings and actively engaging in eco-friendly practices during their stay, such as bringing personal toiletries and opting not to change bed linens and towels daily. This collaborative effort between travelers and accommodations advances the common cause of sustainability, underscoring a shared commitment to addressing environmental concerns and achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable travel.

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The post Emerging Trends in Sustainable Travel! The CEO of Hotel Royal, FANG-ZHENG SHEN: Hotels Must be Pioneers in the Sustainable Industry. first appeared on The Icons.