Ming Chuan University (MCU) and its Japanese sister school, Chukyo University, co-hosted a Taiwan-Japan international football friendship match on February 14. This event not only fostered international sports exchange but also successfully created Taiwan’s first carbon-neutral football match, setting a new benchmark for green sports. According to the university’s Office of Sustainable Development, the estimated carbon footprint of the event was approximately 4.252 tCO₂e. Through the sponsorship of 5 tCO₂e of Verra VCS-certified high-quality carbon credits by industry-academic collaboration partner Young Tech International, the total carbon emissions were fully offset, officially achieving carbon neutrality.
To ensure the event met environmental standards, the Office of Sustainable Development conducted a detailed carbon footprint assessment before the match, covering various aspects such as venue operations, transportation, catering, and waste management, with real-time monitoring on the event day. Chief Sustainability Officer Lu Yang-Cheng stated that, unlike other carbon-neutral sports events, this initiative was not merely about purchasing carbon credits but rather about promoting carbon reduction in sports through an industry-academic collaboration model that brings together academic institutions and the private sector.
President Lee Chuan emphasized that this friendship match was not only a valuable opportunity for sports exchange between Taiwanese and Japanese universities but also a major breakthrough in integrating environmental sustainability with athletics. He expressed hope for more international events centered on green development in the future, ensuring that sports competition and environmental protection go hand in hand. Chukyo University President Kiyohide Uemura also highlighted that the event demonstrated the potential for merging sports with sustainability. He expressed anticipation for deeper cooperation between the two universities in sports, education, and sustainable development, fostering the concept of green campuses together.
Furthermore, students and teachers from junior high and elementary schools in Taoyuan were invited to watch the match, providing them with a rare opportunity to experience an international football competition while also instilling awareness of environmental protection and sustainable sports through real-life actions. A student from Chiao Ai Elementary School remarked, “This match taught me the importance of environmental actions, and I hope to contribute to protecting the Earth in the future.”
Ming Chuan University emphasized its commitment to integrating sports, environmental protection, and international collaboration. Through more low-carbon sporting events and industry-academic partnerships, the university aims to cultivate a younger generation with both a global perspective and environmental awareness while continuing to establish sustainable models for Taiwan’s sports industry.
🔗 Full Report: https://www.week.mcu.edu.tw/51073/