Fostering Employee Experience in Harmony with Local Environment and Promoting Corporate Volunteering for Ecological Sustainability

—Louis Chen, General Manager of Human Resources Department, CTCI Group Intelligent Solutions Business 

Positioning itself as a “Guardian of Sustainable Earth,” CTCI Group has long been dedicated to ESG through its core business, collaborating with clients and supply chains worldwide to deliver green engineering that balances economic development with environmental protection. This article highlights how CTCI’s Group Intelligent Solutions Business (GISB) embraces sustainability thinking and harmonious integration with the local environment to create a high-quality employee experience, while gradually encouraging corporate volunteers to participate in ecological sustainability initiatives.

Fostering Employee Experience in Harmony with the Local Environment

For a business group such as GISB whose core task is the provision of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, many employees walk a lot on construction sites, which often leads to leg or foot injuries. For those who work in the office, they face musculoskeletal problems due to prolonged sitting or standing. Therefore, CTCI Group prioritizes preventive care and injury avoidance for employees who work in the office and in the field as part of its employee wellness program.

Located in Taipei’s Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, CTCI’s Second Headquarters is in proximity to the Datun Mountain Range, Waishuang River, and Keelung River, offering a rare mountain-and-river office environment within the city. To help employees fully engage with this environment and enjoy the natural scenery, GISB’s HR Department launched wellness walking events in partnership with CTCI’s Group Resource Cycling Business, combining employee wellness with the advantages of the unique surroundings to promote relaxation and healthy living.

Since 2022, the “Year-End New Spring Gratitude Walk” has been held annually on the last working day before the Lunar New Year holiday, becoming one of the most anticipated events for employees. In 2022 and 2023, the route followed the trails along Waishuang River and Keelung River, covering about 4–5 kilometers. In addition to walking, the event included eco-friendly measures such as light meals, reusable water bottles, “lights-off for one hour,” and charity donations of receipts, with ESG-themed fun activities held at various spots along the way.

In 2023, the walk was integrated with other side events, collectively known as Healthy Living × Healthy Feet × Gratitude Walk. A Corporate ESG Foot Health Care Program was launched before the walk, offering employees foot examinations and medical consultations. Equipped with a Smart Foot Measurement System and supported by professional foot-care specialists, the program provided foot health checks for employees. To strengthen community connections, the program also welcomed local residents, offering personalized reports and health improvement advice.

Starting in 2024, the walk took on deeper meaning through collaboration with the Beautiful Waterways Association. Employees were taken to Wufengang Creek, enjoying a mind-provoking stroll which fostered a stronger sense of harmony between people and the local environment.

Combining Corporate and Civil Efforts to Protect Biodiversity

In support for the resolution of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), CTCI launched the Green Water Vitality biodiversity project in 2023. That same year, CTCI partnered with the Beautiful Waterways Association to focus on wetland biodiversity preservation. Situated near the Wufengang Creek and Zhoumei Wetland ecosystem, CTCI’s Second Headquarters embraces its responsibility as a member of the local ecological community, contributing to environmental protection, neighborhood goodwill, and positive influence.

Initially, employees were encouraged to join the Beautiful Waterways Association’s eco-cultural guided tours to better understand the Wufengang Creek, Zhoumei Wetland, and Guandu Nature Park. Employees also participated in volunteer programs, learning firsthand how river patrol volunteers monitor and safeguard ecological balance.

To bring more employees aboard to the volunteer activity, in 2024 the annual wellness walking was rerouted to Wufengang Creek trails, and was dubbed Wufengang Creek Ecological Sustainability Action. New elements of this event included bush clean-up and action pledge for ecological sustainability, symbolizing CTCI Group’s commitment to preserving biodiversity in the watershed. Together with Beautiful Waterways Association, employees engaged in river patrols and habitat protection, with a focus on protecting the native Barringtonia racemosa mangrove species by removing invasive species such as Mikania micrantha. Employees also routinely monitored water quality. These actions represent meaningful corporate-community collaboration in addressing local environmental issues.

That year, CTCI and the Beautiful Waterways Association also co-hosted the Wufengang Creek Land Art Festival, using installation art to showcase the beauty of the creek and raise awareness about conservation. About 30 GISB volunteers took part in planning, designing, and creating installations mimicking Barringtonia racemosa. The artwork symbolized CTCI’s biodiversity focus and its determination to preserve Wufengang Creek. It shows the corporate commitment in creating employee experience in harmony with the local environment, as well as achieving ecological sustainability through corporate volunteers.

To further incorporate ecological sustainability with employee experience, in 2025 the walk introduced a new route themed “Farmlands after Autumn Harvest,” highlighting another facet of Zhoumei Wetland’s rich beauty. After enjoying trails through farmland and green canopies, all GISB employees gathered at the Second Headquarters to reflect on a year of volunteering in river patrols and environmental actions. Led by the CEO of GISB, chairmen and presidents of affiliated companies, participants reaffirmed their action pledge for ecological sustainability, declaring their commitment to environmental protection. Looking ahead, GISB will continue promoting in-depth employee experiences, encouraging more colleagues to engage in volunteering, fulfilling corporate citizenship responsibilities, and striving for new milestones toward a better future.