On August 15, 2024, the Taipei Water Department was recognized with the "Award of the most Outstanding Climate Smart Utility" at the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress held in Toronto, Canada. In addition to this prestigious accolade, the Department was also awarded the "Certificate of Climate Smart Utilities Initiative - Recognition Program." Commissioner Fan Huan-ying proudly accepted the awards on behalf of the Department and shared their inspiring success story during the ceremony. This dual recognition underscores the Department's sustained commitment and impactful achievements across three key aspects: "Climate Adaptation," "Emissions Mitigation," and "Leadership." These awards not only attest to the Department's past efforts but also bolster its ongoing commitment to its sustainable development vision!
According to the Department, the "Award of the most Outstanding Climate Smart Utility" and the "Certificate of Climate Smart Utilities Initiative - Recognition Program" are presented by the IWA. The IWA invites utility companies from around the world to apply for recognition, aiming to raise awareness of environmental sustainability and inspire other utilities to take more proactive climate actions by recognizing those with outstanding climate performance.
The Department shared insights on its recent accolade from the IWA, which recognized the Department’s proactive initiatives in combatting the adverse effects of climate change and extreme weather events like droughts and floods, crucial challenges that threaten a stable water supply. This recognition in the categories of "climate adaptation," "emission reduction," and "leadership" highlights the Department's strides towards sustainable development. Furthermore, the Department earned the title of "The Most Inspiring Climate Smart Utility" in its category, gaining international acclaim for its commitment to corporate social responsibility in addressing climate change.
On Climate Adaptation, the Department has prioritized enhancing its resilience against climate-related impacts by implementing robust backup water systems, expanding treatment capacities, and infrastructure facilities retrofitting work. The "Water Supply Network Improvement and Management Plan," operational from 2006 to 2025, has effectively reduced the daily water distribution by approximately 570,000 cubic meters within the water supply area, mitigating the effects of decreasing water availability due to climate variability. Additionally, the Feitsui Raw Water Supply Tunnel Project has bolstered the Department's capability to handle high turbidity events, ensuring the safety and reliability of the water supply.
On Emissions Mitigation, the Department has upgraded its pumping stations to ensure greater operational efficiency and optimized water pressure management systems to lower energy consumption, achieving a daily savings of around 178,000 kWh of electricity. The Department has also ventured into renewable energy projects, including solar photovoltaics and small-scale hydropower, and conducted comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories, resulting in a 47.4% reduction in carbon emissions in 2023 compared to 2005 levels.
On Leadership, Taipei Water Department serves as a benchmark enterprise for water suppliers in Taiwan, playing a leading role. Various forward-looking initiatives and practices drive the upgrade of Taiwan’s water industry. The Department is a regular participant in international academic conferences and a recipient of multiple international distinctions. With a firm commitment to energy conservation and emission reduction, the Department has established its ESG Committee , aligned its sustainable development policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and initiated measures to improve water efficiency, reduce energy and emissions, and foster a more workplace and community friendly environment, all contributing towards making Taipei a sustainable and livable city endowed with abundant water resources.