By Andy Yih-Ping Liu

Following the devastating effects of global warming, leading to floods and famine in various parts of the world, the global community has since embarked on the transition to net-zero emissions, as part of efforts to ameliorate these adverse weather conditions. In fact, the UN World Meteorological Organization said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt and heat waves.

In this regard, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is marking its 30th anniversary this year by hosting the global community at the 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27), that began on November 6 to last through November 18 in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. COP27 opens as climate-induced catastrophes have killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in damages around the world.

Due to political factors, Taiwan has been excluded from international organizations and cannot participate substantively in discussions on global climate issues, including COP27. If Taiwan cannot seamlessly link with the international cooperation mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, this will not only affect the process of Taiwanese industries going green but will also undermine the stability of international supply chains.

However, regardless of Taiwan’s exclusion from the UNFCCC it is willing and able to cooperate with international partners to jointly achieve net-zero transition, mobilize global climate action, and ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.

Making the transition to net-zero emissions is an inescapable collective responsibility of this generation. It will only be possible to achieve the target if the international community works together. In the spirit of pragmatism and professionalism, Taiwan is willing to make concrete contributions to tackling global climate change.

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On Earth Day 2021, Madam President Tsai Ing-wen announced Taiwan’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Following this announcement, “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emission in 2050” has been published, and in March 2022 an overall strategy to achieving the goal released.  It is our considered opinion in Taiwan that neither developed or developing countries can escape the climate crisis. Consequently, more ambitious climate action is needed to save our planet before it is too late.

As the world’s 21st-largest economy, Taiwan has an important influence on economic prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In particular, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry occupies a pivotal position in international supply chains. The industry actively cuts the use of energy resources in its production processes by developing new technologies and new models. Through ever-evolving semiconductor innovations, it has developed numerous smart applications of electronic devices and promoted global energy conservation.

Taiwan is carrying out substantial climate actions and vigorously advancing energy transition. As of May 2022, cumulative installed renewable energy capacity had reached 12.3GW, a significant 60 percent increase from 2016. From 2005 to 2020, Taiwan’s GDP grew by 79 percent. Over the same period, greenhouse gas emission intensity fell by 45 percent, demonstrating that economic growth has been decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions.

Taiwan accordingly urges greater international support forour professional, pragmatic and constructive participation in the UNFCCC going forward. We ask that Taiwan be allowed to participate in global mechanisms, negotiations and activities that promote the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement in the same way as any other country.We are optimistic and confident that the global community and Nigeria stand to gain from Taiwan’s meaningful participation in UNFCCC sessions and activities, where we would willingly share our technical Research & Development (R&D) needed to plan for and develop the net-zero transition.

We are focusing on five areas: sustainable energy, low carbon, circularity, carbon negative, and social science. Taiwan should be given equal opportunity to join international cooperation mechanisms in response to climate change. Let Taiwan contribute and give back even more to the global vision of net-zero emissions.

•Andy Yih-Ping Liu is Representative of Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria