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

The winners 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 registered for the awards, an increase of 12.6% from 95 last year. The total number of entries rose from 173 to 187, representing growth of 8.1%. Following the evaluation process, 123 sustainability action projects were selected for Gold, Silver, and Bronze recognition, alongside four outstanding Chief Sustainability Officers and five Livable and Sustainable Cities.

Among this year's sustainability action projects, social inclusion attracted the greatest attention, receiving 98 entries, an increase of 25.6% from last year and accounting for more than half of all action projects. Environmental sustainability and economic development received 53 and 21 entries, respectively. From elderly care, healthcare in rural areas, digital inclusion, and support for disadvantaged groups to the circular economy, smart disaster prevention, and low-carbon transformation, participating organizations not only addressed current sustainability challenges but also increasingly applied their core expertise, technological tools, and cross-departmental collaboration to establish sustainable action models capable of long-term operation and broader replication.

TAISE Chairman and Ambassador Chien stated that, in the face of climate change, demographic shifts, and global industrial transformation, stakeholders across all sectors must increasingly translate sustainability goals into concrete action. This year's entries covered a wide range of environmental, social, and economic dimensions, demonstrating that more organizations are applying their core expertise, technological tools, and cross-departmental collaboration to address practical challenges facing local communities and industries. He expressed hope that the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards would bring greater visibility to initiatives with demonstrated results and potential for wider application, further promoting international exchanges and the sharing of experiences.

Social Inclusion Takes Center Stage as Local Governance and Technology Applications Advance

The 123 award-winning projects included 32 Gold, 42 Silver, and 49 Bronze awards. Government organizations received 42 awards, followed by businesses with 35, universities and colleges with 24, hospitals with 16, and nongovernmental organizations with six. Yunlin County Government delivered the strongest overall performance. In addition to receiving a Livable and Sustainable City Award, it earned seven Sustainability Action Awards for initiatives involving agricultural circularity, resilient governance, integrity in governance, 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 introduced applications in aquaculture. This initiative not only reduced the burden of waste treatment but also partially replaced chemical fertilizers and lowered aquaculture costs, earning Gold recognition. Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Public Health Bureau integrated hospital discharge planning, home-based medical services, long-term care, and digital follow-up to address the healthcare needs of a super-aged society. The number of home physician service visits increased by 170%, reaching 8,778, demonstrating how local governments are transitioning from individual services toward integrated healthcare and long-term care governance.

Technology applications were another defining feature of this year's award-winning projects. Taoyuan City Government's Smart City and Rural Development Commission integrated fire incident information, air pollution dispersion simulations, geographic information, and real-time notification mechanisms, reducing the time required for simulation and early warning of sudden air pollution incidents from approximately 22 minutes to six minutes. It 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 elderly residents and people in rural communities across Yunlin, Chiayi, and Changhua overcome the digital divide. It also combined artificial intelligence and geographic information technologies to support river management, agriculture, and urban resilience governance.

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

Universities and healthcare institutions also drew upon their professional expertise to address population aging and health inequalities. Chang Gung University of Science and Technology brought together hospitals, students, community volunteers, and older adults to promote health in rural communities. Between 2023 and 2025, the initiative delivered 1,389 services, reaching 29,773 older adults. Taipei City Hospital incorporated community participation activities into its healthcare system, with physicians recommending appropriate social engagement opportunities based on older adults' physical, psychological, and social needs. This approach extended healthcare beyond disease treatment to address loneliness, functional decline, and social connectedness.

In environmental sustainability, National Taiwan University Hospital addressed anesthetic gas inventories, pharmaceutical selection, low-flow anesthesia, and equipment management. Between 2018 and 2023, carbon emissions per general anesthesia case decreased by 42.4%, demonstrating that healthcare quality and carbon reduction can progress simultaneously. Vena Energy Taiwan reserved approximately 30% of the land at its solar photovoltaic site for ecological conservation. Working with universities and conservation organizations, it improved artificial islands, installed predator-exclusion fencing, and adjusted water levels and breeding conditions to establish safer habitats for little terns. The project demonstrated the potential for renewable energy development and biodiversity conservation to coexist.

Award-winning corporate initiatives have also moved beyond one-time charitable activities toward integrating sustainability into core businesses and operating mechanisms. Nan Shan Life Insurance committed to supporting 100 Indigenous communities over ten years, providing long-term assistance in healthcare, education, and digital capabilities. E.SUN Financial Holding utilized financial products, credit card spending, and financing mechanisms to support rural libraries, dental healthcare, and local industries. Bank SinoPac integrated digital finance, paperless services, and green financial products into everyday carbon reduction mechanisms, enabling customers to track their paper savings and carbon reduction achievements.

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

In international cooperation, Cathay General Hospital and the International Cooperation and Development Fund introduced a smart health screening system in Saint Lucia to strengthen local chronic disease management. A total of 11,278 records were uploaded, while healthcare workers' workloads were reduced by 60%. Chung Shan Medical University extended oral healthcare services to disadvantaged populations across the Asia-Pacific region. The Tzu Chi Foundation continued its long-term involvement in post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, providing medical care, education, and livelihood support while training more than 650 local volunteers. Residents who had previously received assistance gradually became active contributors to community reconstruction.

Other international award-winning projects 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 secure housing through inclusive finance, while Krungthai Bank integrated finance, community economies, and ecotourism, directing local economic benefits toward the conservation of mangroves and migratory bird habitats. Malaysia's Penang Island City Council focused on age-friendly environments and municipal ESG governance. The Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority combined community engagement, phased relocation, and affordable housing to improve living conditions and flood protection in traditional settlements.

Four Chief Sustainability Officers Drive Systemic 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. Chief Sustainability Officer Hung of the Le Lin Food Bank transformed food assistance into a local social safety net, serving more than 2,000 people each month and distributing over 15,000 kilograms of supplies. The initiative also introduced 24-hour smart collection equipment to reduce barriers related to time, distance, and psychological concerns for aid recipients.

Vice Superintendent Feng of Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital integrated expertise from dentistry, neurology, rehabilitation, nutrition, speech therapy, and nursing to develop a care model for chewing and swallowing difficulties. The initiative completed more than 56,000 screenings and achieved a nasogastric tube removal rate of 28%. It 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 individual award recipients included Chief Sustainability Officer Treekijjanon, who led Thailand's Provincial Electricity Authority in advancing smart grids, island microgrids, energy storage, and energy transition, and Chief Sustainability Officer Kopper Castro of a Central American development bank. The latter comprehensively integrated environmental and social risks into financing assessments, mobilized US$733.7 million in climate finance in 2025, and incorporated climate mitigation or adaptation components into 80% of the existing investment portfolio, demonstrating the influence of development finance in driving regional sustainability transformation.

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

In the Livable and Sustainable City Awards, Kaohsiung City, Taipei City, and Yunlin County were recognized as "Outstanding City" winners, while Taichung City and Pingtung County received "Excellent City" recognition. The five cities demonstrated comprehensive achievements in areas including industrial net-zero transformation, smart disaster prevention, urban cooling, super-aged society governance, and urban-rural resilience. These outcomes show that local sustainability initiatives are gradually evolving from individual infrastructure projects and programs into integrated urban governance models that span departments and sectors while incorporating citizen participation.