The Second TSMC International Biodiversity Forum and Award Ceremony: Driving a New Era of Ecological Co-Prosperity

TSMC protects nature and biodiversity through the "Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program" and views ecological talent development as crucial for building momentum for conservation. The Company partnered with the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Society of Plant Systematics to launch the "TSMC Biodiversity Scholarship and Proposal Grant." Entering its second year in 2026, the event added the "In-depth Cultivation Award" to accelerate the implementation of innovative ecological solutions. This year's event attracted submissions from 59 domestic and international organizations, including industry, government, academic, and research institutions, along with 410 participants. A panel of 147 judges selected 26 winning entries, which were honored at the "TSMC International Biodiversity Forum and Award Ceremony" held on October 30. The event brought together local and international experts in ecology for cross-disciplinary exchanges centered on "Nature-based Solutions (NbS)." The following day, the "Encountering Nature-based Solutions: NbS Habitat Restoration and Scientific Monitoring Practical Workshop" was launched for the first time. Led by domestic and international experts, the workshop guided winning teams and conservation partners to explore restoration methods and digital verification technologies, aiming to build self-healing resilience into Taiwan's ecology and cultivate sustainable vitality.

To inspire potential talents in biodiversity and support the sustainable growth of ecological conservation, TSMC launched the "Biodiversity Scholarship and Proposal Grant," establishing the "New Talent Award, Elite Award, and Proposal Award" to encourage outstanding research. In its second year, the program added the "In-depth Cultivation Award" to promote the practical implementation of research projects, translating research and conservation actions into real-world impact. To support more outstanding students on their ecological journey, the program plans to introduce the "Paper Award" and "Advanced Study Award" in 2027 to encourage students who have passed the preliminary review of the "Elite Award" or "New Talent Award" to continue their scientific research. Among these, the "Paper Award" incentivizes students to publish in international journals. If the research topic involves the 6 endangered species that are the focuses of the Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program—the eastern grass owl, the squalidus banarescui fish, the ring-necked pheasant, the leopard cat, the pangolin, and the yellow pond turtle—an additional NT$10,000 bonus will be awarded. The "Advanced Study Award" fully subsidizes students to participate in international academic conferences and present their research overseas. To practice inclusivity, the "Advanced Study Award" not only gives extra points to students from low/middle-income households and those with disabilities, but also provides round-trip economy class airfare for one accompanying caregiver for students with severe disabilities requiring an escort. By offering comprehensive support, TSMC accompanies young talents in deepening their research and building international connections.

To provide a platform for talents to connect internationally, this year's "TSMC International Biodiversity Forum and Award Ceremony" focused on NbS, inviting domestic and international experts to explore conservation opportunities. Dr. Callan Alexander from the Queensland University of Technology shared how to optimize ecological monitoring using machine learning; Lifetime Distinguished Professor Su-Chin Chen from National Chung Hsing University analyzed how to guide ecological restoration with natural resilience. Under the moderation of Professor Hsiao-Wen Wang from National Cheng Kung University, they engaged in an in-depth dialogue with Director General Lin Hwa-Ching of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, and Chairman Yu-Po Huang of the Taiwan Eco Tech Association, exploring local ecological solutions for Taiwan from multiple dimensions—policy, technology, and practice.

At the same time, the event specially arranged for the first "Proposal Award" winning teams to share their achievements, demonstrating the substantial changes resulting from their conservation actions, from germination to deep cultivation, and connecting the legacy of green talents across the first two years of the program. In addition, to strengthen local action, TSMC extended the event to the following day with the "Encountering Nature-based Solutions: NbS Habitat Restoration and Scientific Monitoring Practical Workshop." The workshop evaluated the feasibility and ecological benefits of "near-nature engineering" and nature-based solutions. Through practical group exercises in specific scenarios, participants jointly explored local ecological solutions balancing scientific data and sustainable management, empowering frontline conservation actions and adding momentum to the vision of mainstreaming biodiversity.  

• What is the Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program? 

TSMC is committed to creating a balance between technology and ecology and strives to foster environmental sustainability. To maintain the sustainability of ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity conservation, TSMC partnered with the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, and Observer Ecological Consultant Co., Ltd. to launch the "Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program" on the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2024. The program focuses on three aspects: habitat, species, and knowledge, and facilitates seven actions for biodiversity conservation and promotion. It is expected to complete the construction of an ecological corridor, the management of two Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs), and the conservation of six endangered species by 2030. In addition, 96 potential talents and 36 important ecological research projects will be supported through the biodiversity awards. In addition, the program promotes the eBird Taiwan database and iNaturalist, fostering citizen science to put TSMC's "Biodiversity Statement" into action.

• What is the progress of the Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program?

TSMC has been driving the "Eco Plus! Ecological Harmony Program" since 2024, collaborating with industry, government, academic, and research sectors to conserve biodiversity across three dimensions: "habitat, species, and knowledge." For the habitats and species dimension, the program promotes eco-friendly farming, ecological corridors, and habitat optimization, and the protection of 6 endangered species: the eastern grass owl, the squalidus banarescui fish, the ring-necked pheasant, the leopard cat, the pangolin, and the yellow pond turtle. In the two years since its launch, it has assisted farmers in applying for the eco-friendly Leopard Cat farming label, accumulating 5.8 hectares, and held "Leopard Cat Friendly Day" at the Taichung site to support agricultural transformation. Concurrently, it successfully transformed the ecological pond at Fab 15A into a conservation site for the squalidus banarescui gudgeon, setting the first precedent for a Taiwanese enterprise restoring an endangered species on its premises. This facility also made TSMC the first semiconductor company in Taiwan to receive Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECM) certification, helping technology and ecology thrive together. In terms of knowledge, besides promoting the TSMC Biodiversity Scholarship and Proposal Grant, it supports the eBird Taiwan bird database, Merlin App, and iNaturalist platforms, focusing on citizen science and development of AI-powered species identification tools.  

• What is the significance of the trophy for the TSMC Biodiversity Scholarship and Proposal Grant?

The trophies are crafted from copper tubes recycled from TSMC's waste copper sulfate. Their design, featuring the infinity symbol, powerfully symbolizes the perpetual life force of biodiversity, flourishing through the collective efforts of all stakeholders.  

• What are Nature-based Solutions (NbS)?

According to the the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), Nature-based Solutions are actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits.

• What is OECM (Other Effective Conservation Measures)?

A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.