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After the Paris climate accords, various countries’ governments began to formulate carbon reduction paths. The Taiwanese government also announced the "Climate Change Response Act" (previously known as the "Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act") on February 15th, becoming one of few countries to set a 2050 net zero goal through law. With the rise of the ESG sustainability trend worldwide, more and more countries have incorporated sustainability issues into the scope of policy formulation.

Taiwan has also actively amended its laws in recent years. According to the operating methods for the preparation and submission of sustainability reports by listed/OTC companies, starting in 113rd year of the Republic of China (2024), to ensure sustainability indicators and greenhouse gasses are met, affiliated firms/institutions and accounting firms should comply with the relevant regulations of the "Management Points for Sustainability Report Confirmation Organizations of Listed OTC Companies." KPMG became the first firm to obtain the sustainable indicator and greenhouse gas confirmation qualification of the competent authority.

Chen Junguang, chairman of KPMG Anhou Jianye, said that KPMG Anhou Jianye has been recognized by the competent authority and is the first of the four major accounting firms to obtain affirmative qualifications. This is because they support change conferences and various international ESG initiatives, provide advice, strive to invest professional resources around the world to help customers improve their sustainable goals, and also promise to achieve net zero carbon emissions for global member firms by 2030; moreover, they assist customers with their own practical experience and professional services on this issue. Consequently, they are the first accounting firm to obtain the third-party sustainability assurance qualification from the competent authority. KPMG will continue to assist enterprises in providing sound information on sustainability, so that the capital market can use KPMG's results to further support enterprises that are working hard in terms of environment, society, and governance.

Wu Lin, CEO of KPMG Anhou Jianye, explained that KPMG Anhou Jianye established Anhou Sustainable Development Consulting Service Company ten years ago, and established a carbon resource services company in 2022. It has global resources and local expertise on the issue of climate change through sustainable consulting and assurance services.

2023 is an important year for carbon management action. Taiwan’s Climate Change Response Law has come into effect, and the actions of relevant competent authorities have been implemented. The international Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) also requires companies to provide carbon disclosure and carbon assurance. Obtaining the sustainability report and greenhouse gas confirmation qualification this time shows that KPMG Anhou Jianye is a trustworthy third party in promoting the implementation of the national sustainability policy. As a Big Four accounting firm, KPMG will continue to assist the government and enterprises in the future to keep pace with the world in their sustainable mission and actions.

Huang Yuting, a certified public accountant of KPMG Anhou Jianye, pointed out that the ESG information disclosed by companies has gradually become an important basis for judgments in investment decisions. Investors and stakeholders are increasingly paying attention to the quality of disclosed data. As for how the quality of data can increase credibility and reliability, this is achieved through the most direct way of proof, external inspection. Companies can further enhance their sustainable operations and improve their sustainable system processes. Therefore, it is suggested that enterprises should first consider the purpose of disclosure and the laws and regulations to be complied with when choosing an assurance institution, and then choose a qualified assurance institution that meets the requirements of the law. Satisfying result!

Huang Lijia, managing director of KPMG Anhou Carbon Resources Services, believes that in order to achieve the global goal of net zero emissions in 2050, Taiwan’s regulatory agencies have taken great strides to connect with the international capital market, requiring listed companies to conduct greenhouse gas inventory in their financial statements. This move will guide local companies to pay more attention to the risks and opportunities of climate change, and demonstrate responsible carbon reduction practices to investors. In response to the rapidly changing ESG trend, KPMG continues to pay attention to sustainable issues. In addition to providing the latest trends and regulatory updates, assisting with sustainable system process improvement, and helping advance renewable energy efforts, KPMG also hopes to assist customers in sustainable reporting, greenhouse gas and water consumption through a series of services such as rate assurance, assist enterprises to create a sustainable blueprint, and become Taiwan's biggest support on sustainability challenges.