The Bureau of Foreign Trade commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to implement its Sustainable MICE, Taking Strides Towards Net Zero project under the MEET TAIWAN program this year (2023). A press conference was held today (April 27) to promote policies and methods for sustainable MICE, encouraging MICE companies to utilize government resources to enhance their competitiveness in corporate sustainability, jointly entering into a new era of net zero emissions.

The sustainable MICE project aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as well as the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. The project is divided into three segments: evaluation and guidance, speaking out and taking action, and encouragement and honor.

The first segment, evaluation and guidance, provides three resources: helping MICE companies reduce carbon emissions, the Taiwan MICE Sustainability White Paper, and helping MICE companies gain ISO certifications and producing corporate sustainability reports. These guidance resources are tailored to enhance MICE industry sustainability. MEET TAIWAN provides customized consultation services. Companies may submit applications based on their individual needs and further transition towards sustainability.

The second segment, speaking out and taking action, involves promoting Taiwan’s international image of sustainable MICE. Last year, the Net Zero Carbon Events – Route to Net Zero report published by JMIC during COP 27 resounded with the global MICE industry. This year, the Bureau of Foreign Trade and JMIC co-organized an event during COP 28, jointly promoting the net zero initiative for the global MICE industry, the Taiwan MICE Sustainability White Paper, and carbon reduction results of Taiwan’s MICE industry—all contributing to Taiwan’s sustainable MICE image. Taiwan also launched 100 x 100 campaign that called on 100 MICE stakeholders to carry out 100 sustainable MICE actions, jointly engaging in sustainable MICE.

The third segment, encouragement and honor, recognizes Taiwan’s MICE companies for their efforts and contributions to sustainable MICE. The annual Sustainable MICE Awards this year will highlight SDGs and carbon reduction with an SDGs Action Award and a Carbon Reduction Action Award. Companies are encouraged to submit the results of their sustainability actions for consideration, providing an opportunity to share and engage in exchanges with MICE peers while increasing exposure.

In addition to announcing the Sustainable MICE, Taking Strides Towards Net Zero project, the press conference also declared this a year of carbon reduction and sustainability action for Taiwan’s MICE industry. A variety of action plans were introduced, showing that the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of  Economic Affairs—Taiwan’s competent MICE industry authority—attaches great importance to sustainability issues. Stakeholders of the MICE industry were invited to participate in the event, and a service table was set up at the event site with personnel from the Industrial Technology Research Institute, KPMG, and Taiwan MICE Project Office to provide companies with consultation services for sustainability action plans. This increased the confidence of attending MICE companies and encouraged them to actively support sustainable MICE actions.

The Bureau of Foreign Trade provides customized guidance and is now assisting Taiwan’s MICE industry with realizing net zero emissions by 2050. The Sustainable MICE, Taking Strides Towards Net Zero project will steer MICE company growth and enhancement, contributing to Taiwan’s sustainable MICE and international image.