The Company falls into the service industry and does not engage in any manufacturing activities. The energy consumption is mainly from electricity used in the offices; the gasoline consumption is mainly from company cars; the consumption of natural gas is mainly from employees' cafeterias. In 2019, the Company had 9,416 full-time employees which was a net increase of 460 employees from the previous year. The total gasoline and natural gas consumption thus increased from levels in the previous year. However, the Company has made substantial progress in upgrading air-conditioning and lighting equipment and the amount of externally purchased electrical power fell by 1.39% in 2019 compared to the previous year.
We voluntarily supported the "Earth Hour" campaign organized by the Society of Wilderness and switched off lit signs, window lights, and decorative lights in all business locations in the evening on March 30, 2019. We took real actions to demonstrate the Group's resolve for energy conservation, achieve sustainable development of the earth, and jointly promote an energy-saving lifestyle for sustainable development.
In 2015, the Company introduced the ISO 14064-1 greenhouse gas inventory to five main buildings for demonstration; later, the Company expanded the scope of the inventory and obtained the certification. By 2021, the Company plans to complete greenhouse gas inventory in business locations nationwide by north, central, and south regions successively. The Company has completed third-party certification for 139 business locations in northern and central Taiwan in 2019 and obtained certification statements.
Due to the characteristics of the industry, the Company mainly consumes electricity in its operations. In 2019, the total carbon emissions were reduced by 349 tons. The total emissions decreased by 1.66% from the previous year. The Company aims to reduce carbon emissions by 1% each year and will continue to actively implement energy conservation measures.
The Group organized 3 sessions of training in northern Taiwan (Taipei) and central Taiwan (Taichung) to implement the 2019 greenhouse gas inventory and pass third-party certification. We accumulated 656 hours of training for 164 enrollments. In addition to appointing external consultants to assist in filling out related documents, we also explained the importance of greenhouse gas inventories to colleagues.
MICB actively participates in environmental protection actions and actively protects the ocean and the earth. In November, MICB employees and family members formed a volunteer team of 68 people to clear the beach at Xialiao Beach in Wanli, New Taipei City under the guidance of the Let's Do It! Taiwan. The team cleared 451 kilograms of waste in just 2 hours. The waste included 119 kilograms of plastic bottles, indicating that the plastic waste has a significant impact on the ocean. We use the beach clearing event to help volunteers think about what they can do in their daily lives to reduce their consumption of plastic and change their behaviors by preparing their own utensils and shopping bags. These steps can help us protect the ocean and protect the earth.
MITC also actively supports ESG initiatives. It organized the Employee Mountain Cleaning Day event in the Jiuliao Creek Trail in Yilan in November and recruited 69 employees and family members as volunteers. They fulfilled their civic obligations for protecting the earth, environmental protection, and saving greenery for the next generations.
