In recent years, the shifting seasons have become increasingly unpredictable – one day you need a T-shirt, the next day a down jacket. High winter temperatures prevent apple trees from blooming, then heavy summer rains ruin harvests of fruits and vegetables. These are all consequences of climate change, bringing the threat of a global food crisis ever closer. Who can stay on the sidelines with such events happening?

With the world coming together to safeguard humanity’s future, technical terms such as “sustainability”, “SDGs”, and “Net Zero” may seem familiar, yet we don’t always understand what they really mean. Each term encapsulates pathways for balancing environmental protection, social well-being, and economic growth. Dr. Eugene Chien, Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), has long been dedicated to environmental issues. Here, he will try to “unpack” ten key oftheard sustainability-related terms for us. Through concise explanations, he helps us understand their essence while clarifying common misconceptions.

10 Key Terms in Sustainability

#SustainableDevelopment#ClimateChange
#SDGs#CSR#ESG
#GreenEnergy#NetZero#CarbonSink
#CarbonCredits#Biodiversity

Below, the 10 key terms are categorized into five major areas: Sustainable Development; From SDGs to ESG; Climate Action; Carbon Sink & Carbon Credits; and Biodiversity Conservation. In the face of the global warming crisis, humanity is undergoing a critical transition. Every sector of society must take proactive measures to collectively build a comprehensive vision for sustainable development.

Sustainable Development: Intergenerational Equity and Justice

Dr. Chien explains that the concept of sustainable development can be traced back to the 1987 United Nations report Our Common Future (also called the Brundtland Report). There, the term is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Over the past two centuries, human activities have led to a rapid increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the extensive use of fossil fuels. This has accelerated global warming far beyond the Earth's natural rate of change. As climate change intensifies year by year, the public is finally recognizing that the economic development model established since the Industrial Revolution has inflicted an unprecedented impact on the planet.

But how can we balance environmental protection with social progress? In 2000, the United Nations introduced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), setting eight key development targets primarily aimed at developing countries. By 2015, as global challenges became more urgent, the scope was expanded to include developed nations, incorporating additional aspects such as gender equality and education. This led to the establishment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs . That same year, the Paris Agreement was signed, setting a clear goal that all countries must strive to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with an optimal target of 1.5°C.

The SDGs extend across multiple dimensions; they aren’t just about energy conservation and carbon reduction. They represent a comprehensive transformation that integrates economic development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Achieving these goals requires collaborative action from governments, businesses, and the public to ensure the sustainable use of Earth's resources. Only then can we prevent overexploitation and “leaving our debts to our children”.

From the SDGs to ESG: Global Framework, Local Implementation

Chien points out that the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics) are closely interconnected.

As climate change drives growing public concern over social and environmental issues, businesses are increasingly recognizing the need to take on greater responsibilities while they pursue economic growth. CSR encompasses topics such as supply chain management, employee rights, and community engagement. However, traditional CSR efforts have often focused solely on philanthropy. To ensure longterm accountability, the ESG framework was introduced, helping quantify a company’s environmental and social impacts. These metrics help investors and regulatory bodies evaluate a company’s long-term risks and profitability.

Chien also emphasizes that ESG has evolved from an early corporate PR tool into a crucial evaluation standard in global financial markets and policymaking, with some aspects even incorporated into regulatory requirements. Numerous studies have shown that companies that prioritize ESG metrics tend to demonstrate greater operational resilience and stronger long-term performance.

Climate Action: The Path to Making Net-Zero a Reality

Climate action is closely linked to Green Energy and Net Zero.

Chien explains that climate change has far-reaching impacts. For example, rising global temperatures accelerate ocean evaporation, leading to short-duration heavy rain, which causes regional flooding and habitat loss for many species. These disruptions pose serious threats to global economic and social stability. To combat climate change, green energy (renewable sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal) helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Meanwhile, carbon sink and carbon credit mechanisms have emerged as essential tools to support the transition toward the net-zero goal.

It is important to note that the English term “Net Zero” refers to achieving balance by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon removal. It does not require the complete elimination of all emissions. Moreover, Net Zero encompasses the management of all greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.), so it means something different from just being “Carbon Neutral”.

Chien also emphasizes that developing, transporting, and using green energy still have environmental impacts. Additionally, green energy sources may be intermittent (for example, there’s no sunlight at night, and wind varies with the season), so they need to be deployed alongside energy storage systems and smart grids to build a reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.

Carbon Sinks & Carbon Credits: Turning Business Opportunities into Sustainability

A carbon sink is a natural or artificial place that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and oceans absorb and store carbon dioxide, acting as carbon storage reservoirs. Such sinks play a critical role in achieving net-zero goals. We are working, through our efforts to expand native forests and restore seagrass beds, to add carbon sinks.

Derived from the concept of carbon sinks, Carbon Credit and Carbon Offset allow businesses to incorporate carbon emissions into their internal costs by selling or purchasing emission allowances. It is important to note that the English term “carbon credit” in English refers to carbon offsets or carbon credits. It is usually translated as 碳權 in Chinese, but while the literal meaning of that term might imply it, “碳權” is not simply a “right” to emit carbon. Instead, it is as an economic tool designed to incentivize businesses and nations to actively reduce emissions and transition toward sustainability.

Chien reminds us that enhancing carbon sinks is not just about the popular conception of “planting trees”. Both carbon sinks and carbon credit trading require rigorous methodologies, including species selection, long-term monitoring, and third-party verification. Only through such objective, neutral, and well-structured market mechanisms can we effectively accelerate the global carbon reduction process.

(For a deeper understanding of carbon sinks, see Cover Story 02 in this issue: “Checking National Parks’ Carbon Ledgers.")

Biodiversity Conservation: Building a Sustainable Environment

Chien explains that biodiversity conservation is not just about protecting endangered species. It is an investment in our future. In reality, industries ranging from agriculture to pharmaceutical research depend heavily on rich biological resources. Approximately 40% of global GDP is directly linked to biodiversity. If biodiversity collapsed, such as if bees completely disappeared, it would have devastating consequences for the global economy.

He also reiterates that the fragility of Earth’s ecosystems is often underestimated. Moreover, these 10 key terms are interconnected elements of sustainable development. They make clear how in every aspect – from global frameworks to local actions, from corporate transitions to individual lifestyle changes, and with an allout advancement of policies and technological transformations – sustainable development is a cross-generational, multidisciplinary process.

Taiwan has set a vision for Net Zero emissions by 2050. The National Parks can contribute by implementing natural carbon sink management programs. This reflects how sustainable development is not an option – all of us share this responsibility. Everyone must actively engage in strengthening environmental protection and ecological restoration to ensure a more stable and healthier living environment for future generations.

Article/ Chih-Ya Cheng
Interviewee/Eugene Chien, Chairman, Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE)