Environmental Protection Administration Minister Lee Ying-yuan called for international support regarding Taiwan’s bid to meaningfully participate in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in an opinion piece published Oct. 25 by Worldpress.org.
Titled “Taiwan Seeks to Join Fight Against Global Warming,” Lee cited the country’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, which was enacted in July 2015, as a major example of its efforts to address climate change. “Taiwan is among only a few countries in the world that have written into law a target for reducing greenhouse emissions,” he wrote.
The minister’s letter was the latest in a number of articles recently published by international media outlets advocating the nation’s increased presence in global organizations.
Earlier, Chang Liang-jen of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia penned an article titled “Taiwan fights against global warming” published by The Jakarta Post. In the piece, Chang wrote that although Taiwan is not a party to the accord, the government remains committed in its efforts to combat climate change.
“We sincerely urge the international community to recognize and support Taiwan’s determination to gain meaningful participation in the UNFCCC and become part of the global climate network,” Chang stated.
Although not a signatory 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 through the Industrial Technology Research Institute. The organization, established in 1973 and headquartered in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County, is a government-supported nonprofit R&D organization that helps local industries stay competitive and sustainable through applied research and enhanced technical services.
Other examples of Taiwan’s efforts to participate in the 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 EPA.
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. (KWS-E)
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