UMC’s 1.5°C Net-Zero targets validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

HSINCHU, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303)(“UMC”), a leading global semiconductor foundry, today announced that its near-term, long-term, and net-zero targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), to be in line with the 1.5°C pathway. UMC is the first semiconductor foundry worldwide to receive approval for targets under this most stringent standard.

SC Chien, Co-President and Chief Sustainability Officer of UMC, said: “UMC has been committed to climate action for more than two decades, laying a solid foundation for a net-zero future. In 2021, we joined the RE100 initiative and pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. We’ve taken a multifaceted approach to reducing emissions, from expanding the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency to implementing low-carbon manufacturing processes. SBTi’s validation of our targets affirms UMC’s unwavering commitment to decarbonization and reflects our alignment with global efforts to address climate change. We will continue working closely with our value chain partners to build a sustainable future that balances environmental, social, and economic value.”

Launched by organizations including the United Nations Global Compact and CDP, the SBTi provides companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. UMC set its targets based on a 2020 baseline year and underwent SBTi’s rigorous review and validation process, resulting in the following approved targets:

• Net-Zero Target:
Achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050

• Long-Term Targets:
Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 95% by 2050
Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 90% by 2050

• Near-Term Targets:
Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030
Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030

To support these goals, UMC has outlined specific reduction strategies for each emissions category, ensuring effective allocation of resources and maximizing emissions reduction outcomes. For Scope 3 emissions in particular, UMC launched its Supply Chain Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Initiative in 2022. The program provides tools and resources for measuring and managing emissions. To date, over 400 suppliers have participated. For high-emission suppliers, UMC also offers carbon hotspot analysis and energy diagnostics, along with tailored decarbonization recommendations.

About UMC

UMC (NYSE: UMC, TWSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry company. The company provides high-quality IC fabrication services, focusing on logic and various specialty technologies to serve all major sectors of the electronics industry. UMC’s comprehensive IC processing technologies and manufacturing solutions include Logic/Mixed-Signal, embedded High-Voltage, embedded Non-Volatile-Memory, RFSOI, BCD etc. Most of UMC's 12-in and 8-in fabs with its core R&D are located in Taiwan, with additional ones throughout Asia. UMC has a total of 12 fabs in production with combined capacity of more than 400,000 wafers per month (12-in equivalent), and all of them are certified with IATF 16949 automotive quality standard. UMC is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, plus local offices in United States, Europe, China, Japan, Korea & Singapore, with a worldwide total of 20,000 employees. For more information, please visit: http://www.umc.com.

Note from UMC Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in the foregoing announcement are forward-looking within the meaning of the U.S. Federal Securities laws, including statements about introduction of new services and technologies, future outsourcing, competition, wafer capacity, business relationships and market conditions. Investors are cautioned that actual events and results could differ materially from these statements as a result of a variety of factors, including conditions in the overall semiconductor market and economy; acceptance and demand for products from UMC; and technological and development risks. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in UMC’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. UMC does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.