Taiwan backs UNFCCC sustainability goals

2014-11-20

Taiwan is committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and promoting awareness of climate change as outlined by the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, according to Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy Chairman Eugene Chien Nov. 18.

“Although not party to the UNFCCC, Taiwan is a stalwart proponent of green energy and sustainable development in the global community,” Chien said. “It remains a pioneer in applying cutting-edge solutions and setting the standard in this regard.”

The former minister of the Environmental Protection Administration made the remarks at a seminar for international media in Taipei City.

According to Chien, with a population of 23.4 million and scarce natural resources, Taiwan has been assiduous in its efforts to reduce consumption of resources and waste of energy. “Especially praiseworthy are the country’s accomplishments in managing urban waste, recycling materials like polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, containers and promoting sustainable transportation,” he said.

Chien said educational measures adopted by the EPA starting in 1987 paid handsome dividends in fostering change in the habits of the public and facilitating implementation of the government’s green strategy.

“Guided by the principles of recycling, reduction and reuse, Taiwan has achieved remarkable results in reducing the average waste volume per capita to 0.869 kilograms each day, considerably less than the 2 kilograms in the U.S. and other economically advanced countries.”

Such a feat is particularly significant given that over 60 percent of this volume is recycled.

“As of year-end 2012, Taiwan’s waste recycling and reuse rate reached a record 65.16 percent, while the urban waste management rate was 99.99 percent,” he said. “This significantly lightened the burden of disposal on handling personnel, incinerators and landfills.”

Establishment of the electronic toll collection system on national highways is another highlight of the government’s sustainable development policy, Chien said.

“Boasting 100 percent coverage and a monthly utilization rate of 94 percent, the ETCS has succeeded in reducing exhaust gas emissions, fuel consumption and health concerns caused by manual toll collection.”

Chien said he expects Taiwan to continue playing an active role in advancing UNFCCC initiatives on the back of efforts by nongovernmental organizations such as TAISE, which has been instrumental in introducing concepts, defining issues and supervising effective policy implementation.

“The country can share its valuable knowledge and experiences, as well as help expand the goals of international climate change action.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224172&CtNode=413)