Taya Group Green Inside Project– Exploration of Comprehensive Sustainable Environmental Solutions [CommonWealth Magazine Report]

Taya Group Green Inside Project – Exploration of Comprehensive Sustainable Environmental Solutions
Pioneers in protecting the pristine homeland

Yu, Tzu-Ying
2023-10-01

       Following the growing emphasis on environmental protection and the wave of sustainability, global corporations are all proactively engaging in ESG. Taya Group, with a deep affection for our land and society, is committed to being the promotor of a “harmonious environment, pristine homeland.” It established the TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation 15 years ago while recognizing a group of green and sustainable workers quietly contributing across Taiwan. The Pristine Homeland Foundation provides long-term support for environmental education activities which is led by CEO Chen, Shih-Ning, and brings together experts from different fields including Professor Lin, Hsien-Te, Department of Architecture, National Cheng Kung University, He Chen, Tan, former chairman of the Taiwan Ecological Engineering Foundation, Professor Chang, Tzu-Chau, Graduate Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University and Liu, Po-Hung, Founder of Classic & Original and others, to provide care for the diverse aspects of this land. The Foundation also discovers touching stories via Green Inside Project, allowing the power of green to take root in Taiwan’s sustainability.

       From protecting the ecological environment, conserving rare flora and fauna, to revitalizing cultural assets and promoting the development of rural areas, and even supporting the restoration of terraced fields and energy-saving carbon reduction movements, Taya Group is a supporter of a wide-range of ESG programs and is a leading brand in energy chain management.

       In order to harness the power of community and achieve the vision of a pristine homeland, Taya Group not only established the TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation to engage in actions safeguarding the environment of Taiwan but also held the first Green Inside Project in 2008. Each year the project works on different environmental issues, so as to support individuals and actions dedicated to environmental friendliness.

       “The pristine homeland is the place where we grew up, it is not just about being environmentally friendly, but caring for everything in this place.” Says Chen, Shih-Ning, CEO of the TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation. When talking about the inception of the Green Inside Project, Chen said that in the past, competitions or solicitations initiated by the public and private sectors mainly focused on large organizations and communities or those involved in long-term environmental protection and green initiatives. Small local organizations or individuals were almost not being recognized.

       “The Green Inside Project supports and encourages individuals or groups with environmental-friendly ideas in areas such as environmental protection, bio-diversity, and global sustainability. In addition, through the annual activities, similar-minded individuals can gather together to exchange ideas, and even form partnerships to extend the possibility of further collaboration.”

Supporting the power of small efforts to make a big impact
       Emphasizing the “Southern Spirit”, the Green Inside Project is held annually at the Magic School of Green Technologies of National Cheng Kung University. This building is one of the two in Asia selected in the UN Climate Change Commission's report as green buildings, which is the best illustration of Taya's "Green Inside" philosophy. Professor Lin, Hsien-Te, Department of Architecture, National Cheng Kung University is the driving force behind this green building. The connection between Professor Lin and Taya also started here.

       “The green building was built with the environmentally friendly Green Wire which was donated by Ta Ya Electric Wire & Cable, which formed the green nervous system of the building.” Professor Lin emphasized that 13 years ago, Taya already developed non-toxic, lead-free and environmentally friendly cables, making the unseen cables a vital stabilizing force for the people of Taiwan, which also reflects Taya's DNA of symbiosis with the environment.

       Apart from serving as a director since the establishment of the foundation, Professor Lin, Hsien-Te has also been the judge of the Green Inside Project for several years. He observed that the participants of the Green Insider Project are usually the unsung heroes in society, working and contributing silently in various corners of Taiwan. “They gather together through the Green Inside Projects, which makes me realize that there are so many people in Taiwan who have been dedicating themselves for a long time, and I have learned a lot from them.”

This year marks the first year of the TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation’s initiative, “Alang Yi Yi Er Mountain.” During the forum, the role of Alang Yi was discussed, and the importance of environmental education was emphasized.

       This year marks the first year of the TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation’s initiative, “Alang Yi Yi Er Mountain.” During the forum, the role of Alang Yi was discussed, and the importance of environmental education was emphasized.

       The local and continuous grassroots spirit of the Taya group has gradually built a reputation for the Green Inside Project among community members. Even without excessive marketing, Green Inside Protect attracts the participation of many teams and individuals every year.

       Professor Chang, Tzu-Chau, Graduate Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University also noted that the Green Insider Project touches on many various diverse issues. “With the increasing attention and hence the number of participants, we can see that it is recognized and supported by the public. Not only the natural environment, Green Inside Project also gathers participants in ecology caring, humanities, history, environmental education, and others, creating many connections and interactions over the years.”

       Liu, Po-Hung, Chairman of Classic & Original, whose focus is on community building and environmental engineering said, “The word community in English has another meaning of social group. Through the Green Inside Project, Taya gathers ecologically friendly social groups in different places who form a big family which draws more attention to the issue of community building. Together with the TAYA pristine homeland circle, we consolidate influence and affect more people.”

Diverse topics allow sustainable seeds to sprout
       The Green Inside Project has been held for 13 years, which brings companionship and support to individuals or groups promoting environmental friendliness in communities or regions. CEO Chen, Shih-Ning said, “Although the Green Inside Project subsidy is not high, we hope that through this encouraging opportunity, those who silently persist in their positions can connect with each other, and even promote cooperation, such that they can work together towards the goal of creating a pristine homeland.”

       To expand the sustainable impact and at the same time connect to core corporate values, the Green Inside Project has unique criteria in its selection of proposals. From transportation and biodiversity to ecological conservation, community building, environmental friendliness, cultural heritage preservation, and green energy integration, a wide range of topics are covered.

       For instance, Chen Liang-Wei of the Taoyuan Hui Guishan Line who has been concerned about the preservation of local cultural assets worked with other volunteers to repair the EOY English Family. In order to have more funding and resources for the repair, he joined the Green Inside Project in 2016, 2018, and 2019, and received one Pristine Homeland Award and two Green Integration Awards.

A key person in the EOY English Family Restoration Project, Chen Liang-Wei

       Chen Liang-Wei expressed, “The feedback and encouragement from any unit is a form of support for us. I am very grateful because the Green Inside Project allows us to be seen by more people, and because of Taya’s support, we can keep going forward, and let more cultural assets be preserved and integrated into the environment.”

       Kuo, Fu received the Southern Spirit Award in 2018. As she studied marine ecology, she noticed the marine waste problem and therefore she initiated beach cleaning activities in order to protect sea turtles and marine ecology. Kuo, Fu expressed that six or seven years ago, the issue of marine waste was not widely recognized, and they needed funding in the early stages when organizing the activity. “Fortunately, with the support of the Green Inside Project, we are able to promote tableware borrowing in Lambai Island, which is an important start for us and also allows us to truly implement the concept of source reduction afterward.”

Winner of the 2018 Ta Ya Electric Wire and Cable Southern Spirit Award Kuo, Fu has cared about marine waste issues for a long time and is devoted to protecting sea turtles and marine ecology.

       In addition, when the concept of permaculture was still not well understood, Chiang, Hui-Yi, winner of the first Green Inside Project, actively took on cases to increase income while working on developing environmental education materials and curriculum activities. After receiving the Grand Prize of Green Inside Project, founder Chiang, Hui-Yi said, “The award is not only a spiritual encouragement for us but also has helped us to have resources to persist in our ideas during the early stages, such that we can continue to promote environmental education and permaculture design.” Earth Passengers subsequently not only published books and teaching material, it also built an environmental education base, which is also a reflection of the implementation of the Pristine Homeland Foundation’s effort to promote sustainable exchanges.

Chiang, Hui-Yi, the winner of the first Green Inside Project, mentioned that there are many things that can be done in daily life to prevent yourself from becoming a contributor to environmental issues.

Based on the environment, rooted in ESG and symbiosis with nature
       The theme of the 13th Green Inside Project is Island with Mountains and Seas, apart from echoing the Foundation’s “Alang Yi Yi Er Mountain” project which is set to begin this year, caring for the sustainable environment of Taiwan and its hardworking people, the foundation will also review the past 15 years of the Green Inside Project and the various issues raised in the Delonix Regia Fo

       Chen, Shih-Ning stated that around 250 teams have spontaneously participated in the Green Inside Project over the years, and every year we see more young people joining environmentally friendly actions. In terms of topics, more focus has been put on biodiversity. In addition, many individuals who independently engage in environmental education activities have shown up, with a hope to use personal efforts to benefit their hometowns and environment. “I think that only the Green Inside Project can make such small local actions be seen and recognized nationally.”

       To review the idea and vision of Taya Group from an ESG perspective, which is currently the attention of the global community, Taya as a corporation, supports and cares for the community members of this land. In addition, through innovative ideas and thinking, Taya further implements corporate social responsibility, deepens ESG, and is committed to collaborating with local forces to create a sustainable and mutually beneficial living environment for Taiwan.

Original source: Global Views Monthlyhttps://www.gvm.com.tw/article/106473