Taiwan’s ‘inclusive, forward-looking’ policies set to confront climate change, says official – Anadolu Ajansı

Report on Taiwan’s Climate Change Strategy and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report outlines Taiwan’s comprehensive strategy to address climate change, as detailed by Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming. The administration has established a forward-looking policy framework with transparent, nationally determined contributions (NDCs) aimed at a low-carbon transition. These efforts are deeply integrated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), and demonstrate a commitment to global climate responsibilities ahead of the COP30 summit.

2.0 Climate Adaptation and Resilience Framework

In response to increasing climate vulnerability, evidenced by recent typhoons and severe flooding, Taiwan is implementing robust adaptation policies consistent with the Paris Agreement. This strategy directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by enhancing public safety and regional development resilience.

2.1 National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

A national action plan, structured in four-year cycles, has been established to integrate resources and expand adaptation networks. The plan focuses on seven critical areas, aligning with multiple SDGs:

• Critical Infrastructure: Corresponds to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Water Resources: Addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Land Use: Relates to SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Coasts and Oceans: Supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
• Energy Supply and Industry: Aligns with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9.
• Agricultural Production and Biodiversity: Contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15.
• Health: Supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

3.0 Net-Zero Transformation Strategy

Under the “national project of hope,” Taiwan is advancing its net-zero transformation through five core strategies. This institutional framework has established new emissions reduction targets of 26-30% by 2030 and 36-40% by 2035.

3.1 Five Core Strategies for Transformation

1. Develop an intelligent green energy strategy: Directly advances SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
2. Promote a dual-track industrial transformation (digitalization and greening): Fosters progress towards SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
3. Foster net-zero, sustainable lifestyles: Encourages patterns aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
4. Ensure a leading government role supporting the transition: Reinforces SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
5. Achieve a just transition that leaves no one behind: Upholds the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

4.0 Climate Change Mitigation and Carbon Pricing

To meet its climate targets, Taiwan is implementing 20 flagship mitigation action programs and has introduced a carbon pricing system, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

4.1 Flagship Mitigation Programs

Key programs focus on accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources, thereby contributing to SDG 7 and SDG 9. These include:

• Accelerated deployment of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind.
• Technological breakthroughs in geothermal and small hydropower.
• Development of high-tech energy storage solutions.
• Establishment of low-carbon fuel and hydrogen supply chains.

4.2 Carbon Pricing Mechanism

A new carbon fee system has been initiated with an initial price of approximately $10 per metric ton of CO2e. This policy is projected to reduce emissions by 37 million metric tons of CO2e by 2030, providing a crucial economic tool for achieving national climate goals.

5.0 Call for International Partnership

In line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Taiwan is calling for international support for its participation in the COP30 summit. Emphasizing the summit’s “Global Mutirao” (collective mobilization) theme, the administration seeks to collaborate with the international community to jointly respond to the climate crisis and advance the full implementation of the Paris Agreement towards a net-zero world.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses Taiwan’s comprehensive approach to climate change, which connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most relevant SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the central theme of the article. It details Taiwan’s policies, plans, and targets for both mitigating climate change (reducing emissions) and adapting to its impacts (flooding, typhoons).
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article explicitly mentions Taiwan’s strategy to develop green energy, including the “accelerated deployment of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind” and research into “geothermal and small hydropower technology.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The plan for a “dual-track industrial transformation involving both digitalization and greening” and the focus on “critical infrastructure” in the adaptation plan directly relate to building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article highlights the impact of extreme weather on “regional development and public safety” and mentions that the adaptation plan covers “land use” and “critical infrastructure,” which are key components of making human settlements resilient and sustainable.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article concludes with a call for international cooperation, specifically for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN COP30 climate summit to “jointly respond to the climate crisis,” reflecting the goal of strengthening global partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the policies and actions described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Evidence: The article describes Taiwan’s response to being “struck by typhoons and torrential rainfall, causing severe flooding and damage.” It details the establishment of a “national climate change adaptation action plan” covering seven areas, including critical infrastructure, water resources, and public safety.
2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Evidence: The article is centered on this target, highlighting Taiwan’s “comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking” commitment. It mentions the presentation of a “clear and transparent” nationally determined contribution (NDC) for 2035, a “four-year climate change adaptation action plan,” and “20 flagship climate change mitigation action programs.”
3. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Evidence: Taiwan’s strategy includes the “accelerated deployment of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind” and developing “geothermal and small hydropower technology,” directly contributing to this target.
4. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Evidence: The article mentions promoting a “dual-track industrial transformation involving both digitalization and greening” and developing an “intelligent green energy strategy,” which aligns with upgrading industries to be more sustainable.
5. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • Evidence: The environment minister explicitly calls on “all countries to support Taiwan’s participation” in COP30 and emphasizes the theme of “collective mobilization” to “jointly respond to the climate crisis.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several specific and measurable indicators that can be used to track progress:

• National Climate Change Policies: The existence and implementation of a “national climate change adaptation action plan with a four-year cycle” and “20 flagship climate change mitigation action programs” serve as key policy indicators.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets: The article provides precise quantitative indicators for emissions reduction. Taiwan has set targets of “26-30% by 2030 and 36-40% by 2035 compared with the base year.”
• Carbon Pricing Mechanism: The implementation of a carbon pricing system is an indicator of economic policy action. The article specifies the initial price is “approximately $10 per metric ton CO2e.”
• Projected Emissions Reduction from Policies: A specific outcome-based indicator is provided for the carbon fee system, which is “projected to reduce emissions by 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2030.”
• Renewable Energy Deployment: While not providing a percentage, the “accelerated deployment of solar photovoltaics and offshore wind” is an activity-based indicator that implies an increase in renewable energy capacity and generation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aa.com.tr