Sustainable Policies and Actions
Sustainable Finance Policy
Taishin FHC understands that the financial industry has an impact on flow of funds and, therefore, formulated the Taishin FHC Green Finance Principles in 2018 with reference to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) exclusion list and UN Global Compact among other international principles. The Principles apply to all subsidiaries and various businesses within the group. It specifies subjects that should be supported and avoided and emphasizes that ESG risk management should be included in transaction review and post-transaction management. Taishin FHC and its subsidiaries have adjusted their business regulations or processes in accordance with the Green Fi[1]nance Principles. ESG risk assessment is conducted on 100% transactions and financial products of all subsidiaries. According to high-risk factor assessment results, industries involved in narcotics, manufacturing of illegal weap[1]ons, and gambling are customer attributes that we should decline to deal with or exclude from our business so as to practice the vision of responsible financing development.
In light of the fast-changing trends and growing attention paid to sustainable financing around the world, in 2023, Taishin established the Sustainable Finance Policy to replace the Green Finance Principles. The policy has been approved by the Board of Directors and details key points of recent developments in sustainable finance, including public commitment, ESG topics of concern, engagement and communication, and voting policy. We refer[1]enced international sustainable finance initiatives, such as the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and comply with green finance related policies and the Stewardship Policy for Institutional Investors, in order to align with sustainable development trends and achieve better performance in sustainability practices.
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Expand Applicability
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The policy applies to Taishin FHC, its subsidiaries, and the trading counterparts and parties involved in the investing/financing activities of overseas branches/institutions. The policy serves as the basis for setting management rules for different business activities and asset categories.
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Public Commitment
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In response to the goal set forth in the Paris Agreement to control global temperature rise within 1.5°C, the Company made a commitment to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in 2030 by 46% compared to the baseline year (2019). We also set carbon reduction goals for Scope 3 asset categories based on the SBT methodology, in order to work towards net zero emissions.
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ESG topics of Concern
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Taishin cares about ESG topics and has incorporated this principle into its business evaluation process, taking action to show that we care about sustainability issues.
- 【Environmental】:We expect trading counterparts to implement low carbon transition in their business activities, raise their environmental protection awareness, and pay attention to biodiversity.
- 【Social】:We expect trading counterparts to take diversity and equality seriously, pay attention to local communities, improve labor rights and interests, and pay attention to occupational health.
- 【Governance】:We expect trading counterparts to strengthen their corporate governance structure, to not violate environmental and social regulations, and strictly abide by financial regulations for the prevention of money laundering.
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Establishment of Driving Business Rules
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Taishin expects trading counterparts to uphold the spirit of sustainability, and establish ESG management measures, indicators, and goals. To effectively assess and manage ESG risks, we took trading counterparties and the contents of transactions into management according to different levels. All subsidiaries shall comply with the Sustainable Finance Policy and provide financial products and services aligned with the spirit of sustainability.
To achieve sustainable finance and drive the industry transition, Taishin expressly stated specific industries and trades those are prohibited, decarbonization strategies, companies that it should avoid cooperating with, and industries for careful assessment. Taishin also actively supports the economic activities with more sustainability and forward-looking, and makes substantial contributions to the mitigation of climate change.
- Industries or counterparties prohibited: Industries or trading counterparts that produce a direct or potentially significant negative impact on ESG, such as: industries involved in pornography, manufacturing of illegal weapons, and health-endangering activities; or trading activities in which operations or use of fund are/is detrimental to ESG factors, such as: activities in serious violations of financial laws and regulations (money laundering, corruption, etc.) or other laws and regulations.
- Decarbonization commitment:With coal companies (including coal mining, coal-fired power plants, and coal infrastructure) and unconventional oil & gas industries, including global investment and financing activities should plan a timetable for no new undertakings or investments in various businesses from 2022 to 2030; and aim to completely phase out of investing/financing coal-related companies by the end of 2030 and unconventional oil & gas businesses by the end of 2040.
- Avoided from direct cooperation or prudent assessment is required: 7 industries included in the list of high carbon emission industries (e.g., Petroleum and Natural Gas Mining, Cemet, Electricity and Gas Supply, Manufacture of Basic Metals, etc.) or for business types which can be traceable for purpose of funds are also required to carefully assess the harmful to the ESG-oriented from operational activities. (examples of such industries: tobacco and alcoholic beverages, those caused negative impacts on biodiversity and the ecosystem, those caused systematic damage to the environment or health, or those in serious violation of laws, human rights, and occupational safety regulations, etc.)
- Industries to which active support may be given: Industries engaged in sustainable and forward-looking economic activities, such as: those involved in renewable energy, water recycling or frontier technologies, energy conservation or energy storage facilities, protection of natural resources and biodiversity promotion, etc.
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Development of the Voting Policy
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Taishin is aligned with the long-term interests of fund providers (including customers, beneficiaries, or bank shareholders) through appropriate concern and dialogue with investees, improving the quality of invest[1]ees' corporate governance through good interactions, and further driving industrial and economic development.
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Comprehensive Review and Management
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All industries, businesses, and customers that Taishin deals with "should" comply with the principles set under the sustainable finance policy. Taishin carefully evaluates if trading counterparts or transactions have potential risks that will harm the environment or society, and if there are actions that negatively impact ESG topics. The review process includes three stages: evaluation, inspection, and comprehensive review, and items that require follow-up are periodically examined after approval.