By Shieu Fuh-sheng, Minister of Environment, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Climate change is impacting the world at an unprecedented rate. The concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere continues to rise, and global average temperatures have reached record highs. But it is not too late. If we act now, we can still achieve a livable and sustainable future.

This global challenge requires the entire global community to come together. For our part, Taiwan is working toward the common goal of net-zero emissions, bringing our strengths in green and other technologies to address multiple challenges related to climate change. Our experience offers lessons for others.

In February 2023, President Tsai Ing-wen announced the enactment of the Climate Change Response Act, codifying the 2050 net-zero emissions goal into law. By elevating the net-zero target from a policy declaration to a legal requirement, we have demonstrated our determination to cut emissions. We are setting up a carbon pricing mechanism and introducing financial incentives to guide businesses toward sustainable, low-carbon development.

In 2022, we published our ‘Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050’ and announced 12 key strategies for net-zero transition. Based on the twin governance foundations of technology research and development and climate legislation, Taiwan is stepping up energy, industrial, lifestyle, and social transition. The first phase (2023 to 2026) of the net-zero science and technology program will focus on five main development areas: sustainable and future-oriented energy sources, low-carbon and carbon reduction, negative carbon emissions, the circular economy, and humanities and social sciences. The program will promote net-zero technology research, development, and applications.

Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in energy transition. For the past ten years, energy intensity has improved by an annual average of 2.9%. According to a 2022 report published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Taiwan’s energy efficiency has risen to eighth in the world, second only to Japan in Asia.

Over the last five years, Taiwan’s installed capacity of renewable energy has grown by an average of 21.9% each year. The global average is 9.1%. Taiwan has outperformed its Asian neighbors, including the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan. In 2023, the combined capacity of wind and solar power installations in Taiwan reached around 13.9 gigawatts, a sevenfold increase from 2016. A total of 264 offshore wind turbines have been installed nationwide. Renewable energy is expected to generate 10% of all Taiwan’s electricity this year.

To ensure a stable power supply and reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, the government will continue to maximize the development of green power and future-oriented energy and further improve energy efficiency. Through these efforts, together with complementary measures such as developing diversified energy storage and strengthening power grid resilience, we are steadily achieving an energy transition.

As more countries commit to net-zero emissions, Taiwan has made structural reforms to consolidate our environmental authorities and strengthen administrative capacity. In August 2023, the Environmental Protection Administration was restructured and upgraded to the Ministry of Environment (MOE). Its newly established Climate Change Administration coordinates efforts to respond to climate change and reduce GHGs. The results of scientific research on climate change and the implementation of adaptation actions have been published in Taiwan’s Adaptation Communication report submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat. Taiwan also set up an interdisciplinary team to compile the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan. The initiative promotes nature-based solutions and empowers vulnerable groups. These efforts aim to boost Taiwan’s overall capacity to respond to climate change, protect public safety, and promote national sustainable development.

Over 70% of Taiwan’s resources are imported. But in 2022, the municipal waste recycling rate reached 59.5% and the industrial waste reuse rate rose to 86.5%. Through the newly established Resource Circulation Administration under the MOE, the previous focus on controlling pollution has shifted to developing overall resource circulation, improving the efficiency of environmental governance, developing a circular economy, and introducing the concept of zero waste. Building on existing solid foundations, Taiwan has formulated three circulation strategies – using green designs for waste reduction at the source, recycling and reusing resources, and balancing and managing waste treatment capacity. A well-functioning circular network will be created in coordination with upstream, midstream, and downstream industries. Taiwan is also developing innovative technologies and systems to support resource circulation and accelerate progress toward the vision of zero waste and net-zero emissions.

Taiwan is an export-oriented economy. Its business operations are heavily influenced by international conditions and regulations. With the global trends toward carbon border adjustment mechanisms and green supply chain requirements, the government has established an interministerial coordination mechanism to help companies understand and reduce the carbon content of their products and promote a carbon pricing system. Taiwan’s Green Finance Action Plan supports the low-carbon transition of industry by: steering capital investment to green or sustainable businesses; improving the environmental, social, and corporate governance of Taiwanese companies; and strengthening their sustainable development. The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX), established in August, creates incentives for enterprises to reduce carbon emissions through market trading and exchanges. The TCX also promotes low-carbon technology research and development, strengthens carbon market talent cultivation, and drives the virtuous cycle of the green economy.

Leveraging its experience and strengths in green technology development, Taiwan brings expertise to programs in fields such as disaster relief, disaster prevention, the environment, medicine, public health, and green energy. We look forward to engaging in collective action and sharing our expertise with the international community to jointly overcome the climate crisis.