The nongovernmental organization’s initiative is in response to Article 12 of the Paris Agreement—finalized during the 21st session of the COP last December—stating that “parties shall cooperate in taking measures, as appropriate, to enhance climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation and public access to information.”
Foundation Deputy Director Chiu Hung-ju said setting up such a site will help the UNFCCC fulfill Article 12 and enhance actions under the agreement. “Climate change impacts everyone, and it is imperative that future generations understand the ramifications and learn to tackle related challenges in their daily lives.”
According to Chiu, the foundation began staging a wide variety of climate change education activities at schools around Taiwan earlier this month. “We will share the results of this successful undertaking at our booth themed Taiwan Environmental Education Dialogue on the sidelines of the upcoming global gathering,” she said.
In addition, New Taipei City-based Taiwan Research Institute will team up with London-headquartered Responding to Climate Change Ltd. at a booth during the meeting next month. The institute plans to present its research on climate change issues, as well as showcase efforts by local municipalities to curb greenhouse emissions.
Although not a party to the UNFCCC, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been taking part in peripheral events of the U.N. specialized agency’s sessions as an NGO observer since 1995 via Industrial Technology Research Institute. Headquartered in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County, ITRI is a government-supported nonprofit R&D organization established in 1973 to help local industries stay competitive and sustainable through applied research and enhanced technical services.
Other examples of Taiwan’s efforts to participate in UNFCCC include the staging of an annual international NGO forum on climate change and UNFCCC policymaking in Taipei by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Environmental Protection Administration.
According to the MOFA, Taiwan should be included in the UNFCCC as it is an indispensable partner, has set an ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target, is ready and willing to contribute more to the UNFCCC and its participation is a matter of climate justice. (SFC-E)
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