Baijiaotun Gongtian Temple Completes Carbon Emission Calculation for Pilgrims, Becomes Taiwan's First Carbon-Offset Temple

The Taiwan Tourism Innovation Association announced today that it is partnering with the Miaoli County Government's Cultural and Tourism Bureau to promote the 'Hai-Xian Chill Summer – Haowang Hill Sustainable Low-Carbon Tour.' Baijiaotun Gongtian Temple serves as the core demonstration site and has completed carbon emission calculations for pilgrims, becoming the first temple in Taiwan to obtain the GS International Carbon Offset Certificate.

This initiative connects Gongtian Temple with Xihu Iron Bridge, Tongxiao Salt Factory, Houlong Haowangjiao (Cape Point), Guogang Tunnel, and Shuiwei Community, integrating religious, coastal, industrial, railway, and community experiences into a sustainable low-carbon tourism route.

'Carbon credit cancellation' refers to the formal retirement (cancellation) of a carbon credit unit during carbon trading and usage, indicating that the corresponding amount of carbon emissions has been offset or reduced and cannot be reused or traded again. This is a crucial mechanism to ensure that emission reductions are genuine and not double-counted.

Carbon offsetting is a decarbonization strategy that involves purchasing emission reduction achievements—such as greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere—by others to compensate for one's own emissions.

According to the Taiwan Tourism Innovation Association, the carbon footprint per person for each route is as follows:

- 'Xihu-Gongtian Temple Line': 4.43 kg per person. By using high-speed rail combined with buses, emissions dropped from 33.16 kg (private car) to 7.60 kg, achieving a 77% reduction. - 'Haowangjiao-Tongxiao Salt Factory Line': 4.04 kg per person. Emissions decreased from 32.77 kg to 7.21 kg, a 78% reduction. - 'Xihu Iron Bridge, Guogang Tunnel, Shuiwei Community Line': 19.52 kg per person. Emissions reduced from 48.25 kg to 22.69 kg, a 53% reduction.

Lee Chi-Yueh,理事长 of the Taiwan Tourism Innovation Association, stated, 'Globally, corporate business travel and event procurement are increasingly incorporating carbon data, low-carbon transportation, and supplier sustainability performance. Tourism products that complete carbon footprint assessments, third-party verification, and international carbon offset registration are more than just travel itineraries—they help enterprises obtain traceable business travel carbon data, enhancing green procurement and ESG management value.'

The association also announced that in the future, government agencies, enterprises, schools, associations, and religious groups visiting Gongtian Temple for worship, blessings, employee trips, or cultural visits can apply for carbon offsetting based on actual headcount and receive GS carbon offset cancellation certificates.