Social Inclusion Gains Momentum as Technology-Driven Governance Takes Center Stage

The results of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards (APSAA), organized by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), have been announced. This year, 107 organizations participated, representing a 12.6% increase from 95 organizations last year. The total number of submissions rose from 173 to 187, an increase of 8.1%. Following the evaluation process, 123 Gold, Silver, and Bronze sustainability initiatives, four Outstanding Chief Sustainability Officers, and five Sustainable and Livable Cities were selected for recognition.

Social inclusion emerged as the most prominent focus among this year's sustainability initiatives, attracting 98 submissions, a 25.6% increase from the previous year and accounting for more than half of all submitted projects. Environmental sustainability and economic development received 53 and 21 submissions, respectively. From elderly care, healthcare in rural areas, digital inclusion, and support for disadvantaged groups to the circular economy, intelligent disaster prevention, and low-carbon transformation, participating organizations demonstrated their ability to address pressing sustainability challenges. By leveraging core expertise, technological tools, and cross-sector collaboration, they are increasingly establishing sustainable operating models with long-term viability and the potential for broader adoption.

Ambassador Chien, Chairman of TAISE, emphasized that in the face of climate change, demographic shifts, and global industrial transformation, stakeholders must translate sustainability objectives into concrete actions. This year's participating initiatives covered a wide range of environmental, social, and economic dimensions, with an increasing number of organizations applying their core expertise, technological tools, and cross-sector partnerships to address practical challenges facing local communities and industries. Through the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards, he hopes that effective and scalable initiatives will gain greater visibility, facilitating international exchange and the sharing of successful experiences.

Social Inclusion Takes Priority as Local Governance and Technology Applications Advance

The 123 award-winning initiatives comprised 32 Gold, 42 Silver, and 49 Bronze Awards. Government agencies received 42 awards, followed by businesses with 35, universities and colleges with 24, hospitals with 16, and non-governmental organizations with six. Yunlin County Government achieved particularly strong results, receiving the Sustainable and Livable Cities Award alongside seven Sustainability Action Awards for projects involving agricultural circularity, resilient governance, integrity in public administration, energy transition, inclusion of new residents, and wetland environmental education, bringing its total to eight awards. National Formosa University and Taoyuan City Government each received seven Sustainability Action Awards.

Yunlin County Government transformed high-salinity wastewater and vegetable residues generated by the pickled mustard greens industry into agricultural fertilizers and incorporated them into aquaculture applications. This approach not only reduced waste treatment burdens but also partially replaced chemical fertilizers and lowered aquaculture costs, earning a Gold Award. Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Public Health Bureau integrated hospital discharge planning, home-based medical services, long-term care, and digital monitoring to address the healthcare needs of a super-aged society. The number of people receiving home physician services increased by 170%, reaching 8,778, demonstrating how local governments are moving beyond individual services toward integrated healthcare and long-term care governance.

Technology applications were another defining feature of this year's award-winning initiatives. Taoyuan City Government's Smart City and Rural Development Committee integrated fire incident information, air pollution dispersion simulations, geographic information systems, and real-time notification mechanisms, reducing the time required for emergency air pollution simulation and early warning from approximately 22 minutes to six minutes. The city also applied ground-penetrating radar and risk-based management to identify potential road subsidence risks in advance. National Formosa University used digital education to help older adults and residents of rural communities in Yunlin, Chiayi, and Changhua overcome the digital divide. It also incorporated artificial intelligence and geographic information technologies into river management, agriculture, and urban resilience initiatives.

From Healthcare to Environmental Transformation: Cross-Sector Expertise Addresses Sustainability Challenges

Universities and healthcare institutions also leveraged their professional expertise to address population aging and healthcare inequality. Chang Gung University of Science and Technology collaborated with hospitals, students, community volunteers, and older adults to promote health and well-being in rural communities. Between 2023 and 2025, the initiative provided 1,389 services, reaching 29,773 older adults. Taipei City Hospital integrated community participation activities into its healthcare system, with physicians recommending suitable social activities based on older patients' physical, psychological, and social needs. This approach expanded healthcare beyond disease treatment to address loneliness, functional decline, and social connectedness.

In environmental sustainability, National Taiwan University Hospital implemented measures involving anesthetic gas emissions inventories, medication selection, low-flow anesthesia, and equipment management. Between 2018 and 2023, carbon emissions per general anesthesia case decreased by 42.4%, demonstrating that quality healthcare and emissions reduction can advance together. Vena Energy Taiwan designated approximately 30% of its solar photovoltaic development site as an ecological conservation area. In collaboration with universities and conservation organizations, the company improved artificial nesting islands, installed predator-exclusion fencing, and adjusted water levels and breeding habitats to create safer conditions for Little Terns. The initiative demonstrated the potential for renewable energy development and biodiversity conservation to coexist.

Award-winning corporate initiatives have also evolved beyond one-off charitable activities, increasingly integrating sustainability into core business operations and management mechanisms. Nan Shan Life Insurance committed to supporting 100 Indigenous communities over ten years through long-term initiatives focused on health, education, and digital capabilities. E.SUN Financial Holding leveraged financial products, credit card spending, and financing mechanisms to support rural libraries, dental healthcare, and local industries. Bank SinoPac integrated digital banking, paperless services, and green financial products into everyday carbon reduction practices, enabling customers to monitor their paper savings and emissions reduction achievements.

International Collaboration and Individual Leadership Demonstrate the Breadth of Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action

In international cooperation, Cathay General Hospital collaborated with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) to introduce an intelligent health screening system in Saint Lucia, strengthening local chronic disease management. The initiative uploaded a cumulative total of 11,278 records and reduced healthcare professionals' workloads by 60%. Chung Shan Medical University extended oral healthcare services to disadvantaged communities across the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the Tzu Chi Foundation continued its long-term involvement in post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, providing medical care, education, and livelihood assistance while training more than 650 local volunteers. This approach enabled residents who had initially received assistance to become active contributors to community reconstruction.

Other international award-winning initiatives highlighted diverse approaches adopted by Southeast Asian financial institutions and local governments to address social and environmental challenges. Thailand's Government Housing Bank promoted access to housing through inclusive finance, while Krung Thai Bank connected financial services, community economic development, and ecotourism, directing local economic benefits toward mangrove and migratory bird habitat conservation. The Penang Island City Council in Malaysia focused on age-friendly environments and municipal ESG governance. The Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority combined community engagement, phased relocation, and affordable housing development to improve living conditions and flood resilience in traditional settlements.

Four Sustainability Leaders Drive Institutional Transformation Across Social Welfare, Healthcare, Energy, and Finance

This year's four Outstanding Chief Sustainability Officers represented Taiwan's social welfare and healthcare sectors, Thailand's energy industry, and a Central American development finance institution. Hung of Le Lin Food Bank transformed food assistance into a community-based social safety net, serving more than 2,000 people and distributing over 15,000 kilograms of supplies each month. The initiative also introduced 24-hour smart collection facilities to reduce time, distance, and psychological barriers faced by recipients.

Vice President Feng of Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital integrated dentistry, neurology, rehabilitation, nutrition, speech therapy, and nursing expertise to establish a comprehensive chewing and swallowing care model. More than 56,000 screenings were conducted, achieving a nasogastric tube removal rate of 28%. The initiative also contributed to the inclusion of nasogastric tube removal and the restoration of oral feeding in National Health Insurance reimbursement, translating clinical experience into institutional reform.

International recipients included Mongkol Treekijjanon, who led Thailand's Provincial Electricity Authority in advancing smart grids, island microgrids, energy storage, and energy transition, and Manfred Kopper Castro, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. The latter integrated environmental and social risk considerations throughout financing assessments, mobilized USD 733.7 million in climate finance in 2025, and ensured that 80% of the existing investment portfolio incorporated climate mitigation or adaptation components, demonstrating the role of development finance in driving regional sustainability transformation.

Sustainable and Livable Cities: From Industrial Net Zero to Urban and Rural Resilience

In the Sustainable and Livable Cities Awards, Kaohsiung City, Taipei City, and Yunlin County received the "Outstanding City" distinction, while Taichung City and Pingtung County were recognized as "Excellent City." The five local governments demonstrated comprehensive achievements in industrial decarbonization, intelligent disaster prevention, urban cooling, super-aged society governance, and urban-rural resilience. Their accomplishments showed how local sustainability efforts are evolving from individual infrastructure projects into integrated city governance models involving cross-departmental cooperation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public participation.