Water Resources Agency(WRA) has pioneered "Carbon Management throughout the Lifecycle of Hydraulic Engineering." Through verification by British Standards Institution (BSI), it has obtained the international "PAS 2080: 2023 Standard for Carbon Management in Construction and Infrastructure" certificate. Today, in a certification ceremony witnessed by Deputy Minister Lin from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr. Hsieh Chun-Hao, BSI Taiwan Operations Manager, presented the certificate to Director Lai Chien-Hsin representing the Water Resources Agency in receiving it. With over two years of efforts in promoting carbon reduction in hydraulic engineering, the Water Resources Agency has become the first international government agency in hydraulic field to achieve this. Simultaneously, it is the first government agency in Taiwan to be honored with the PAS 2080 certificate.
WRA explained that, to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, it pioneered the systematic carbon reduction mechanism of "Carbon Budget Management for Hydraulic Engineering" in 2022, which has been audited and approved by BSI. Since November 2021, WRA has initiated the transformation toward net-zero for hydraulic engineering, encompassing the entire lifecycle of projects. It has taken the lead in developing and completing the "Reference Guide for Carbon Reduction in Hydraulic Engineering," including planning and design, construction, and operation and management sections. Through annual performance assessments and effectiveness analyses, the agency reviews and improves carbon reduction strategies to achieve its goals.
Under the comprehensive management of the entire project lifecycle, WRA not only significantly reduces carbon emissions but also ensures the integrity, consistency, and continuous improvement of the overall mechanism. It has a substantial influence on the entire industry chain. Furthermore, its approach aligns seamlessly with the principles and methods of the "PAS 2080: 2023 Standard for Carbon Management in Construction and Infrastructure," making it a core and crucial component for the Water Resources Agency's verification success.
BSI's Operations Manager also mentioned that since February 2022, when the Water Resources Agency completed the "Reference Guide for Carbon Reduction in Hydraulic Engineering (Planning and Design Section)," the concept of carbon budget has been introduced during the engineering design phase. During this stage, carbon emissions are estimated, encompassing both the design and construction phases. The agency(WRA) actively seeks carbon reduction hotspots and reviews potential reductions. In September 2023, the completion of the "Reference Guide for Carbon Reduction in Hydraulic Engineering (Operation and Management Section)" further demonstrated the Water Resources Agency's compliance with PAS 2080 requirements, considering the management of carbon emissions throughout the entire lifecycle. This achievement makes the agency the first government entity in Taiwan to obtain PAS 2080 certification, setting a pioneering example for other government institutions. The successful verification is not the end but the beginning, and it is hoped that various sectors will collaborate in contributing efforts towards carbon reduction in the future.
Deputy Minister Lin expressed that the government should lead by example and encourage large enterprises to "lead the small," guiding the entire supply chain in collaborative carbon reduction efforts. WRA has formulated a carbon reduction roadmap, milestones, carbon budget management methods, and actively implemented and reviewed improvements. It has not only established concrete and comprehensive mechanisms for carbon reduction measures but has also achieved the carbon reduction target by over 30% in 2023. By incorporating the concepts of the PAS 2080 Carbon Management Standard, the agency further aligns with international practices. This affirms that through WRA’s carbon management practices, the entire industry chain of hydraulic engineering, including asset owners, designers, engineering consultants, products, and material suppliers, can collectively achieve net-zero carbon emissions goals. This alignment with international carbon reduction trends enhances competitiveness in the construction market.
Director Lai stated that with the intensification of extreme weather events, global climate change has become a reality. As WRA has long been closely associated with environmental issues, there is no doubt that it must spare no effort in carbon reduction efforts. Leveraging AI and digital transformation, the agency aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in hydraulic engineering, aligning with international trend. Facing the challenging task of transformation, which is difficult, WRA will continue to be driven by foresight and innovation. It will strengthen its three main business aspects: flood control, water utilization, and water conservation. The agency hopes to lead by example and extend carbon reduction initiatives to various sectors, collectively making a greater contribution to the sustainability of the environment for future generations.
There were a total of 112 distinguished guests from the industry, government, and academic sectors present at the event. This included Deputy Commissioner Yeh Che-Liang from the Public Construction Commission, Operations Manager Hsieh Chun-Hao from the British Standards Institution, Chairman Yu Fan-Ying from the Yu Chi-Chung Foundation for Literature and Education.
WRA spokesperson：Deputy Director Wang Yi-Feng.
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