A Shared Responsibility for the Earth’s Future
In every corner of the world, we are feeling the growing weight of climate change. From extreme weather to environmental degradation, the effects are real—and often hardest on the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, and low-income communities. While many recognize the urgency, taking meaningful action can feel overwhelming.
As one of many groups responding to this crisis, Tzu Chi Foundation continues its ongoing journey—walking hand in hand with communities to care for the Earth, one small act at a time.
Walking Toward Net-Zero with Steady Steps
Tzu Chi has set the goal of "Net Zero Emissions by 2050." Starting from 2021, Tzu Chi has taken the four steps of inventorying, analyzing, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions across all aspects of its operations. From 2022-2023, carbon inventories have been completed for ten Jing Si Halls, solar panels have been installed in 17 centers, and the inaugural TCFD Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures meeting was held to develop response strategies.
In alignment with the government's four transformation policies—energy transition, industrial transition, lifestyle transition, and social transition—Tzu Chi is actively implementing corresponding transition measures.
Educating Communities: From Mobile Classrooms to E-Sports
Education is a gentle yet powerful tool. Tzu Chi’s upgraded Mobile Environmental Education Vehicle 2.0 brings learning directly to schools and communities. Powered by solar panels that generate 2 kilowatt-hours of electricity per hour, the vehicle embodies energy autonomy and features the interactive “Net Zero Future Pavilion.” Inside, visitors engage with exhibits and games on global warming, waste, and carbon reduction—planting seeds of awareness in young hearts and minds.
LEFT: Students pedal a human-powered generator as Tzu Chi volunteers guide them through a hands-on environmental activity. RIGHT: Volunteer guide Lian-Yu Chen (陳連育) (right) demonstrates DA.AI Technology’s complete recycling process—from PET bottles to plastic pellets, then spun into recycled polyester for clothing, hats, blankets, and more.
In collaboration with PaGamO and Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment, the Tzu Chi x PaGamO Environmental Education E-sports World Cup uses online gaming to engage thousands of students and teachers in climate-related challenges. Through this fun and interactive platform, participants learn about global warming, extreme weather, and disaster prevention—turning awareness into real-world action.
LEFT: The 4th Tzu Chi PaGamO Environmental & Disaster Preparedness Championship brought together students from various schools. RIGHT: “Disaster prevention materials are often hard to understand, but PaGamO makes learning fun and motivates kids to learn proactively,” said Junya Tanaka (田中淳也) (left), who joined with his son Nobu Tanaka (田中信) (right).
Global Recycling Initiatives: Turning Waste into Resources
“Please use the hands that you applaud me with to pick up rubbish, sweep the streets, and do recycling, so that we can turn our land into a Pure Land. By turning trash into gold, we can turn gold into loving hearts.”
— Dharma Master Cheng Yen
In 1990, while delivering a speech in Taichung, central Taiwan, Dharma Master Cheng Yen encouraged the audience to “use their applauding hands to protect the environment” by sorting trash for recycling. Inspired by her words, a young woman immediately began organizing recycling efforts in her neighborhood and donated the proceeds to charity.
From that single spark, a global movement has grown. Today, Tzu Chi’s recycling initiatives span 21 countries and regions, supported by over 104,000 volunteers. Yet recycling in Tzu Chi is not merely a task of sorting paper or plastic—it is a quiet spiritual practice. For many, it becomes a way to purify the heart, reduce desire, and return to a life of simplicity and mindfulness.
LEFT: At 91, Shi Lin Wang-Shi (石林罔市) continues to quietly sort recyclables at the Zhushan Recycling Station, joyfully doing environmental work with her son Shi Tian-Sheng (石添勝) for over 20 years. RIGHT: Tzu Ching (Collegiate Group) members in Lumbini, Nepal, partnered with the local hotel association to promote recycling, collecting and sorting PET bottles from shops and hotels.
This same spirit gave rise to DA.AI Technology, a social enterprise that transforms discarded PET bottles into eco-friendly products such as clothing, bags, disaster relief blankets, and Tzu Chi multi-purpose foldable beds.
With the guiding slogan “Coexist with the Earth,” DA.AI Technology merges environmental action with compassion. Through innovative recycling and sustainable product design, it turns waste into value—and channels its profits into charitable causes.
Together, these efforts demonstrate that recycling is not just about managing waste—it is about nurturing the Earth while cultivating kindness in the human heart.
LEFT: On February 7, 2024, Tzu Chi volunteers in Davao, Philippines, quickly mobilized to distribute emergency supplies—including DA.AI Technology’s eco-blankets and multi-purpose foldable beds (made from recycled PET bottles)—to families affected by severe flooding. RIGHT: After the powerful 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, Tzu Chi delivered multi-purpose foldable beds to help survivors avoid sleeping on the ground during ongoing aftershocks.
Promoting Plant-Based Living Worldwide
In every meal, there is a choice. Tzu Chi promotes plant-based living not just for health, but as a compassionate and environmentally mindful practice. Through vegetarian events, talks, and public campaigns, volunteers across countries gently encourage a shift in eating habits.
LEFT: Families joined fun eco-games and a vegetarian market at Taipei’s 2025 Earth Day event in Daan Forest Park, promoting plant-based living, plastic-free habits, and biodiversity protection. RIGHT: Kids take part in a plant-based DIY session at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre’s “Zero Market” in Singapore, making colorful and nutritious Mexican wraps.
Additionally, Tzu Chi's "Order VO2 to Reduce CO2" platform in Taiwan offers eco-friendly vegetarian meal ordering with reusable containers, aiming to encourage plant-based living while minimizing single-use plastics and promoting zero-waste practices.
As part of the “Order VO2 to Reduce CO2” campaign, Tzu Chi volunteers brought Christmas meals to Jiamin Elementary School in Hualien’s Xiulin Township, while promoting reusable tableware and plant-based eating.
To spread awareness about sustainable food choices, Tzu Chi launched Plantārium on June 5, 2023—an integrated plant-based lifestyle space that embodies the spirit of “Do Good Together.” Located in Taipei, this co-creation hub fosters a green economy, empowers youth, and encourages the public to embrace low-carbon plant-based diets.
Designed as more than just an exhibition space, Plantārium brings together young people, experts, and industry leaders passionate about sustainability. With features like a cooking classroom, a baking classroom, Jing Si Books & Café, a plant-based supermarket, and a buffet restaurant offering light vegan meals, Plantārium invites the public to make mindful food choices that reflect respect for life and responsibility for the Earth.
To expand its impact, Tzu Chi signed a Corporate Co-Goodness Agreement at Plantārium on April 23, 2024, joining forces with 21 companies and 7 schools to promote sustainability education among high school students. This collaboration—spanning industries from manufacturing to retail—supports the “Sowing for the Future: Low-Carbon Living, Sustainable Eating” initiative, planting seeds of environmental awareness and responsible consumption in future generations.
In Hualien, Taiwan, Tzu Chi works with local authorities to promote vegetarian-friendly hotels—not only to reduce emissions, but to encourage eco-conscious travel. By 2023, twelve hotels had embraced the practice, making sustainable tourism more accessible for visitors.
A Deeper Philosophy Behind Every Act
The Earth is not separate from us. When the mind is settled, our surroundings reflect that harmony. When our desires run unchecked, even the climate responds. In this light, environmental protection is not only about reducing emissions—it is about restoring balance in our thoughts, actions, and relationships.
As climate change continues to reshape our world, no single group or action is enough. But by working together, in humility and with compassion, we can shift from destruction to healing.
Whether through education, recycling, vegetarianism, or sustainable travel, every step taken with sincerity leaves a meaningful footprint. In this shared journey, we are all learners, all caretakers—and all responsible for the world we leave behind.
