On September 12, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (moda) Minister Audrey Tang spoke via a video call at the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF), which was held under the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s (UN ECOSOC) Internet Governance Forum(IGF). Tang’s speech focused on internet policy issues relating to sustainability and energy conservation; she shared how Taiwan has been reducing carbon emissions through its digital transformation.

Tang provided examples of this, including the Administration for Digital Industries’ (ADI) Tcloud platform, which allows small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to easily introduce cloud-based solutions such as a carbon reduction calculator or energy management system. Additionally, as Taiwan’s 3G network will end in 2024, the country will be able to save 100 million kilowatts of power every year.

The 2022 APrIGF was a hybrid event held from September 12 to 14 in Singapore, with the theme: “People at the Centre: Envisioning a community-led Internet that is inclusive, sustainable and trusted.” Tang was invited to join via a video call, to discuss the issue of “Towards an EcoInternet—A Multistakeholder Dialogue on Policy Making and Strategizing for a Sustainable and Energy Efficient Internet.” She explained Taiwan’s methods and experience in promoting carbon emission reductions through digital transformation.

Tang told the panel that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan helped vendors to integrate mobile payment systems through Tcloud, while SMEs were able to directly buy services on the platform. This shows the viability of digital transformation among SMEs.

In terms of net zero issues, Tcloud also incorporates cloud-based solutions such as a carbon reduction calculator and energy management system. Eleven suppliers have provided 14 cloud solutions, including the “carbon footprint verification (CFV) energy management cloud system,” “organization greenhouse gas footprint verification solution,” “rental power surveillance system,” and “energy management cloud,” which allow SMEs to easily introduce carbon reduction solutions.

According to Tang, many SMEs in the past found CFV troublesome, and thought it was something only large corporations were capable of. However, the Asia Pacific Social Innovation Summit, held in May this year in Taiwan, went through an internationally recognized exhibition CFV.

Now, through Tcloud, relevant CFV methods have become far more convenient. Tang encouraged organizations involved to try their hand at calculating their carbon footprint when organizing activities, as this may help them to obtain influence certificates in the future, and allow them to reduce carbon emissions by simply going online.

Tang added that President Tsai Ing-wen has established Taiwan’s Net Zero by 2050 goals, and aside from the government’s introduction of carbon reduction programs through Tcloud, the National Communications Commission (NCC) plans to end the 3G network in 2024. Once the network is shut down and voice call systems are transferred to a 4G voice service (VoLTE), Taiwan will save around 100 million kilowatts of power every year.

The APrIGF is a regional event under the UN ECOSOC’s IGF system. Countries within the Asia-Pacific region join discussions, exchanges, and partnerships, with the goal of enhancing the Asia-Pacific Region’s internet governance.

The APrIGF has been held annually since 2010 in cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul. In 2016, it was held in Taipei.