WNC Ecological Restoration Project Protects the Zhuoshui River

Hsinchu, April 21, 2025 — WNC has long been concerned about the environment, and is committed to sustainable initiatives such as forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and net zero emissions. Following the unveiling of the WNC Forest Park in Xiluo in 2023, this year we held a 419 Return to the Forest Park event. Chairman Haydn Hsieh, President & CEO Jeffrey Gau, and Chief Sustainability Officer Molly Lin led a group of senior staff, together with Youe-Ping Lee, Director of the Fourth River Management Branch of the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Li-Chan Chung, Deputy Director of the Experimental Forest Management Office of National Taiwan University, Po-Neng Chiang and Chieh-Ting Wang, team leaders from the same office, to nurture and maintain the 2,400 Taiwanese native tree seedlings planted on the Xiluo side of the Zhuoshui River two years ago. This will allow this 1.4-hectare forest to continue to grow, injecting greenery into the Xiluo area, and also writing a new chapter in WNC's commitment to sustainability.

Of special note this year is that WNC has cooperated with the National Taiwan University Experimental Forest Management Office to apply for a voluntary carbon reduction project from the Environmental Protection Administration. For the first time, carbon sink calculations have been introduced. It is estimated that this small forest can obtain an average of 14 tonnes CO2e carbon rights each year. It also symbolizes that WNC is moving from an abstract green vision to producing quantifiable sustainability results.

The WNC Forest Park is a project that began in 2023 as an industry-government-academia collaboration to plant native tree seedlings such as camphor, tamarisk, Taiwan beech, Taiwan nanmu, and sweetgum under the Xiluo Bridge on the left bank of the Zhuoshui River. It will effectively improve dust and haze issues brought on by the northeast monsoon, enhance the quality of life of residents along the Zhuoshui River, and bring into play carbon sequestration and ecological restoration effects. Over the past two years, this forest has gradually become more robust, reflecting the possibilities for coexistence of enterprises and the environment.

With regards to WNC’s efforts to promote low carbon transformation, Chairman Haydn Hsieh said, “All employees at WNC attach great importance to sustainable transformation and innovation, and regard sustainable governance as the key to driving corporate breakthroughs. The company looks forward to working with all sectors to drive industry upgrade via sustainable competitivity.” President & CEO Jeffrey Gau said, “The project aims to protect forests and biodiversity through tree planting, and to promote local ecological monitoring with the aim of creating a more robust environment for local flora and fauna.” The WNC Forest Park is not only an environmental project, but also a manifestation of our response to the challenges facing the Earth. WNC will work with global partners to create a safer, more resilient and sustainable environment, so that environmental benefits can take root and thrive everywhere.