Recent Publications

Taiwan Economic Research Monthly Accelerating the development momentum of small and medium-sized enterprises in the circular economy for a just transition to achieve net-zero ‧ Inflation and carbon reduction pose significant challenges to the current development of SMEs. Reflecting on the substantial fiscal expenditures for relief and stimulus measures targeting industries, businesses, and workers introduced by various countries over the past three years, not only has this led to excess demand in times of supply shortage, causing inflationary pressures globally, but it has also compelled SMEs to cope with the rapid rise in raw material prices and labor costs despite limited revenue growth. Simultaneously, the Glasgow Climate Pact, signed at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) by leaders from around the world, has a profound impact on the future development of SMEs. The Glasgow Climate Pact recognizes greenhouse gas emissions as the main cause of global warming and aligns with the Paris Agreement advocated by COP21 in 2015, aiming to control the global average temperature increase within 2 degrees Celsius of the pre-industrial revolution average or preferably within 1.5 degrees Celsius. The pact requires countries to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through reducing coal use, industrial transformation, and carbon pricing, promoting a collective effort to attain these goals. Ensuring exclusivity, the pact enables SMEs, vulnerable regions, and impacted industries to collectively develop within the national vision of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.