GIGABYTE strives to develop low-carbon technology and has set carbon reduction targets. In Taiwan, 2007 has been set as the baseline year with a target of a 20% reduction in emissions from internal activities by 2015. In China, the baseline year is 2009 and the target is a 15% reduction in emissions from internal activities by 2015. For the Group as a whole we aim to reduce carbon emissions from internal activities by 20% compared to 2009 by 2020.

With global warming continuing to increase in severity, GIGABYTE knows that the environment and enterprise are dependent on each other so if there is no sustainable environment then there can be no sustainable enterprise. Our initiatives are therefore aimed at offering true environmental benefits, improving energy and resource use efficiency, developing green products and promoting green consumption. In 2010 GIGABYTE conducted a greenhouse gas and product carbon footprint inventory in order to improve and continue to enhance the resource utilization efficiency of the products. We also practice various energy-saving and carbon reduction measures in everyday life. By treating ecology, living and production as a trinity, we aim to optimize our sustainable business development. Our current initiatives in this area are listed below.

Apart from 1 ~ 2 hours of quality and environmental legislation training for new employees, personnel also undergo increasingly demanding training based on their role to increase environmental awareness and strengthen green product competitiveness.

Warning signs are displayed near conference rooms to remind users to turn off the lights when they leave. Water-saving initiatives are displayed on washroom doors to encourage employees to conserve water.

Monthly audits are conducted in accordance with the 5 principles of 5S: Seiri (Sorting), Seiton (Stabilization), Seiso (Sweeping), Seiketsu (Standardizing) and Shituke (Practice). Penalties are issued for non-compliance and the emphasis is on employee introduction of environmental protection through 5S.

Rubbish sorting is now carried out by employees instead of the cleaning staff. Self-sorting helps employees think about the problem of waste before their next purchase and adopt the necessary waste reduction measures.

Signs are displayed in front of the elevators encouraging employees to take stairs expected to live longer.

To encourage employees to cycle to work, bicycle parking areas are provided at the offices and equipped with bicycle racks for securing bicycles.

To reduce excess greenhouse gas emissions from meat production, employees can participate in the two voluntary vegetarian days each week. GIGABYTE has provided long-term assistance with group orders of vegetarian lunch boxes.

To reduce energy consumption from use of transportation, inter-plant training and conferences are now carried out through video conferencing.

Company cafeterias provide only metal cutlery to reduce waste.

GIGABYTE encourages employees to participate in activities such as jogging, hiking, mountain climbing, marathon running and swimming across the Sun Moon Lake. The activities not only improve employee health and the company's corporate image but also enhance employees' environmental awareness through exposure to Mother Nature.
In the future, GIGABYTE will continue to promote various energy-saving/carbon-reduction initiatives and environmental education. Apart from the benefits for employee health, this will also make a contribution to the planet and encourage a symbiotic approach to existence. We shall continue to uphold the philosophy of "Upgrade Your Life" in order to realize the goal of sustainable business development.

GIGABYTE set up the "WEEE/RoHS Committee" in 2005 in response to the EU WEEE and RoHS environmental directives. The Committee was responsible for formulating measures in response to regulations, the promotion of environmental issues in the plants and training. In 2009, the Committee was renamed the "GIGABYTE Green Sustainability Development Committee" to expand the promotion of green issues. Sustainable development was confirmed as a future management goal in order to make a contribution to environmental, social and economic sustainability. Monthly inter-business unit and inter-plant meetings are held to promote green sustainability development initiatives within GIGABYTE. The following short-, medium- and long-term targets have now been set:

• Short-term:Implement environmental safety and commitments, guarantee that products satisfy customer and environmental requirements, and educate all employees on customer's requirements for the product environmental management system.
• Medium-term:Establish an organizational greenhouse gas and carbon footprint performance indicator system to effectively reduce product carbon emissions and environmental impact on a continuous basis.
• Long-term:Promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), create customer value and environmentally friendly products, and fulfill CSR.