he U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in T1994 to serve as the main global platform for stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions. Signatories meet annually at the Conference of the Parties (COP), with the 25th edition scheduled to take place Dec. 2-13 in Madrid, Spain. COP25 incorporates the second meeting of the parties for the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in Leave No One 2015 to deal with adaptation, miti- gation and financing policies against Behind greenhouse gasses. While working to expand commitments to tackling global warming, the Madrid summit Taiwan is seeking will highlight oceans-related issues, as well as adaptation, Antarctica, professional, pragmatic and biodiversity, circular economy, elec- constructive participation tromobility, forests, renewable energy and urbanization. in the UNFCCC. Mom Loves Taiwan Association, world on environmental issues, disre- the past, we tapped expertise and Pragmatic Engagement BY PAT GAO Taiwan Carbon Capture Storage gards the Paris Agreement’s empha- skills from developed nations, and As Taiwan is not a party to the con- and Utilization Association, and sis on climate justice and violates the now it’s time for us to help the inter- PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAOYUAN vention, the country is shut out of Taiwan Institute for Sustainable principles of the U.N. Charter.” national community in return.” CITY GOVERNMENT official activities, mechanisms and Energy; New Taipei City- As the world’s 22nd largest meetings. Each year, the Cabinet- headquartered Taiwan Association of economy, Chang said, Taiwan has a Far-sighted Steps level Environmental Protection Sustainable Ecological Engineering responsibility to tackle with other Among Taiwan’s major efforts to Administration (EPA) sends a del- Development, Taiwan Research countries the urgent threat posed by combat climate change, the country egation to the summit comprising Institute, and Telecommunication climate change. “No one should be is one of the first in the world to representatives from the country’s and Transportation Foundation; left behind in this fight.” write long-term emission reduction public and private sectors. These as well as state-backed Industrial Despite frustrations, Taiwan targets into law. The Greenhouse include those from academic and Technology Research Institute in continues seeking participation in Gas Reduction and Management research institutes, as well as local northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County. the UNFCCC in a “professional, Act, promulgated in July 2015, speci- enterprises. e participation, mainly Taiwan’s COP presence has pragmatic and constructive man- fies the goal of lowering the nation’s involving events on the sidelines won considerable recognition from ner,” Chang added. One of the carbon emissions to half the 2005 and at exhibition venues, is made delegates of many U.N. member major aims of the EPA is to expand levels by 2050. As a result, EPA possible through the assistance of states and the UNFCCC’s secre - the country’s contributions to regulations stipulate decreases of 2 Taiwan nongovernmental organiza- tariat, according to EPA Minister global environmental programs in percent, 10 percent and 20 percent 張子敬 tions (NGO). Chang Tzi-chin ( ). “Global such areas as ecological manage- below 2005 levels by 2020, 2025 and Ten homegrown NGOs hold climate change is a matter of life ment, disaster prevention and early 2030, respectively. UNFCCC observer status: Taipei and death transcending political warning systems and energy effi- These objectives are bolstered City-based Delta Electronics concerns,” he said. cient technologies. by promoting the National Climate Foundation, Environmental Quality “Exclusion from the UNFCCC is “For developing countries, Change Action Guideline as the Protection Foundation, Foundation unfair and incompatible with its call Taiwan offers support based on its blueprint of Taiwan’s adaptation and of Taiwan Industry Service, for extensive cooperation across the similar experiences,” Chang said. “In mitigation measures, as well as the Notably, the 2017 amendments The EPA is working to to the Electricity Act are intended strengthen the regional mercury to create a favorable environment monitoring network and arrange for green energy business develop- relevant training programs under ment. Chang sees these moves as in the International Environmental line with the Paris Agreement’s core Partnership (IEP). Launched in concern of boosting momentum for 2014 by Taiwan and the U.S., this carbon reduction in all nations. network of experts and specialists Taiwan’s commitment to stand- from around the world seeks to ing with the international com- build capacity in tackling environ- munity on climate change is further mental challenges. evidenced by its adoption of the U.N. A key component of the IEP Sustainable Development Goals initiatives involves the Global (SDG) and publication in September Environmental Education 2017 of the Voluntary National Partnership (GEEP) engaging more Review on their implementation. than 50 countries. At the U.S.- Around the same time, the Taiwan Environmental Education National Council for Sustainable Taskforce meeting held in July in Development, an interministerial Taipei, the EPA proposed further organization headed by Premier Su contributing to the GEEP’s Asia- Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and staffed by Pacific network by teaming up with EPA employees, passed in December Taichung City Government to 2018 Taiwan’s own version of the form a regional communication and SDGs comprising 18 goals and 138 coordination center in the central specific targets. Taiwan metropolis. “We’ve achieved considerable Greenhouse Gas Emission Control results across core areas,” Chang Grassroots Participation Action Programs for the govern- said, citing care for disadvantaged Local government is a crucial force ment’s agriculture, energy, environ- groups, clean water, energy supply, in spurring Taiwan’s global engage- ment, manufacturing, residential- gender equality, health care, infra- ment via hosting and participat- commercial and transportation structure, pensions, poverty allevia- ing in environmental and climate- agencies. Over the last decade, on tion, resource recycling, sanitation related events. In June, Lu Li-teh (呂 理德 the back of joint endeavors by local facilities, universal education and ), who heads the Department government, the increase of carbon zero hunger. of Environmental Protection at emissions from traditional energy “Taiwan is ready, willing and Taoyuan City Government (TCG) sources has slowed to an average able to share its knowledge and in northern Taiwan, shared the every opportunity to advance inter- In addition to expanding solar 0.1 percent rise, outperforming experience with other countries municipality’s experiences in city diplomacy as well.” and offshore wind power capacity, energy restructuring eforts. Singapore’s 1.6 percent and South to help realize the SDGs,” Chang enhancing climate adaptability at During the conference, TCG another related measure in Taoyuan stafers carry out an ocean Korea’s 2.3 percent, according to said. A crucial way for the coun- the Resilient Cities 2019 forum in delegates updated attendees on is an under-construction waste incin- cleanup mission of the coast of the EPA. try to make even further headway Bonn, Germany. Taoyuan’s progress in realizing the erator for electricity production at To facilitate progress toward a in this regard is to maintain an e Taoyuan delegation was also SDGs. This undertaking goes far the Taoyuan Environmental Science low-carbon society, the government active, dynamic partnership in invited by forum organizer Local beyond the work of an environ- and Technology Park in Guanyin aims to achieve energy restructur- international organizations like the Governments for Sustainability, mental affairs authority, Lu said. District. Expected to go on line in ing by 2025 to generate 50 percent UNFCCC, he added. a UNFCCC-accredited group “It requires an all hands on deck 2021, the biomass energy center will of electricity from natural gas, 27 As part of ongoing government comprising over 1,750 local and approach from the main actors in generate 200 million kilowatt-hours percent from coal, 20 percent from efforts to foster global partner- regional governments in 100- the local government.” per year. renewable resources and 1 percent ships, the EPA organized the eighth plus countries, to attend the Bonn A high-profile example is the “The facility is further evi- from nuclear, with the remain- annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Conference. In 2017-established interagency task dence of the success of efforts by ing from oil and pumped storage Mercury Monitoring Network in the face of growing climate change force for developing a low-carbon government, private firms and hydropower. Statistics by the Bureau August in Jakarta, Indonesia. More impacts, Lu said, it is vital to foster green city and a self-governance NGOs in achieving the shared of Energy under the Ministry of than 60 experts and officials from international connections at such ordinance taking effect in the goal of sustainable development,” Economic Affairs confirm existing 18 countries such as Japan, the events so as to keep abreast of the same year. e former is headed by Lu said. “Leave no one behind is numbers at around 33 percent, 46 Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam latest developments and respond Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan not just a U.N.