Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital

Introduction

What is ESG?

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance.

1.Sound Institutional Governance

Organizations should establish dedicated units for sustainable development, integrate sustainability into medium- and long-term planning, and commit to honest, pragmatic, and transparent governance. This includes:

• Enhancing the board’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) operations.
• Regulating and managing medical institutions.
• Actively engaging with stakeholders through regular sustainability reports.

2.Exerting Social Influence

To create social impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), institutions should:

• Integrate teaching, research, and services.
• Enhance human resource training and career development.
• Promote gender equality in hiring practices.
• Implement workplace health initiatives, social care, and services.
• Develop age-friendly healthcare and engage in international medical cooperation.

3.Implementing Environmental Sustainability

To combat climate change, institutions should:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate their impact.
• Regularly assess and disclose electricity consumption and carbon emissions.
• Invest resources to achieve carbon neutrality by at least 2050.
• Utilize 100% renewable energy and develop effective adaptation strategies.

Hospital Sustainability Development Initiative

Climate change has gained significant international attention, with carbon emissions being one of the major challenges. In response, many countries have developed net-zero carbon policies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Our nation has also committed to achieving net-zero emissions and transformation by 2050.

The Military Medical Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense oversees 14 military medical institutions that not only provide medical services but also fulfill their social welfare responsibilities. In line with sustainable management principles, the bureau held the “Sustainable Development Initiative Signing Ceremony” at the Tri-Service General Hospital Neihu Branch. At the event:

• Director Hong Yi-ren represented the military medical system.
• Ambassador Jian You-xin, Chairman of the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation, co-signed the sustainability development initiative.

This initiative aims to implement hospital ESG practices by:

• Reducing carbon emissions.
• Promoting green energy.
• Developing AI-driven smart operations.
• Enhancing social care.

Under the leadership of Major General Tsai Chien-song, the bureau is actively developing high-quality smart hospitals to improve the medical environment. The Tri-Service General Hospital became the first in northern Taiwan to:

• Purchase green electricity in 2018.
• Achieve ISO 50001 energy management system certification in 2019.

These initiatives emphasize the bureau’s commitment to energy conservation and sustainability.

 Medical ESG Carbon Reduction for a Sustainable Earth: Military Hospitals Collaborate to Support Taiwan

According to surveys, Taiwan’s medical system contributes 4.6% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, a relatively high figure compared to other nations. Data from 2022 highlights the top three energy-consuming areas in hospitals:

• Air conditioning: 59.41%
• Lighting: 13.26%
• Elevators: 5.63%

Additionally, operating rooms and intensive care units are major energy consumers due to the specialized equipment and low-temperature maintenance.

Under the guidance of the Military Medical Bureau, Director Hong Yi-ren of the Tri-Service General Hospital and the directors of 13 other military hospitals signed the “Hospital Sustainability Development Initiative” with the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation (TAISE) on March 27. The initiative focuses on:

• Promoting effective institutional governance.
• Enhancing social impact.
• Implementing environmental sustainability.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Ambassador Jian You-xin highlighted the significance of United Nations COP28, which introduced “Health Day” for the first time. This event led to 143 countries signing the Climate and Health Declaration, promoting resilience to climate change and transfor