Executive Summary
Executive Summary In response to global climate change, Taiwan enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act in 2005. As climate challenges intensified, the Ministry of Environment revised the act in 2023 and renamed it the Climate Change Response Act. The revisions incorporated the 2050 net-zero emissions target, enhanced emission controls, carbon fee collection, and promotion of a just transition, underscoring Taiwan’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. To actively address the challenges of global climate change and promote national climate governance and international cooperation, President Lai Ching-te announced the establishment of the National Climate Change Committee on June 19, 2024. The Committee, comprising representatives from industry, government, academia, and research sectors, serves as a communication platform for formulating national climate governance strategies and driving critical action plans, thereby strengthening resilience to climate change. The Committee convenes quarterly at the Presidential Office and undertakes three core missions: fostering public participation, enhancing policy communication, and improving operational efficiency. Its goal is to build societal consensus and advance the nation’s green growth strategy. The committee consists of 28 members, with the President serving as the convener. It addresses seven key themes: net-zero pathways; diversified green energy and carbon reduction technologies; green and digital dual-axis transformation; sustainable green lifestyles; just transition; green sustainable finance; and, resilient and sustainable land-use adaptation. Taiwan adheres to the requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), upholds the principle of periodic disclosure of climate change response achievements by parties to the convention, and has actively implemented related measures. Pursuant to the Climate Change Response Act and its enforcement rules, Taiwan compiles a national report every three years. The 2024 Republic of China National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report comprises nine key chapters: 1) National Circumstances and Basic Environmental Data; 2) Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Absorption Statistics, and Trend Analysis; 3) Taiwan’s Policies and Measures for Greenhouse Gas Reduction; 4) Greenhouse Gas Emission Forecasts; 5) Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies; 6) Climate Change and Systematic Observation Research; 7) Technology Development, Demand, and Transfer; 8) International Cooperation and Exchange; and 9) Education, Training, and Outreach. The highlights of each chapter are summarized below:
Chapter 1: National Circumstances and Basic Environmental Data Taiwan is situated at the southeastern edge of the Asian continental shelf along the Pacific Rim. To its east lies the Pacific Ocean, to its west the Taiwan Strait; the Bashi Channel lies to the south, and the Ryukyu Islands are located to the northeast. Taiwan has a spindle-like shape, stretching 394 kilometers from north to south and 144 kilometers from east to west at its widest point, with a total coastline length of 1,150.95 kilometers. Its latitude ranges between approximately 21°N and 26°N. The area under Taiwan’s effective jurisdiction includes Taiwan proper
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and its affiliated islands (the Penghu Archipelago, Kinmen Islands, Matsu Islands, Dongsha Islands, and Nansha Islands), covering a total area of approximately 36,197.3371 square kilometers. In 2023, the annual average temperature on the main island was approximately 24.6°C, with an average annual rainfall of about 1,883.5 millimeters. Since 2020, Taiwan has experienced natural population decline due to the birth rate falling below the death rate, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in negative population growth. In 2023, population numbers temporarily rebounded due to the return of Taiwanese nationals and a net positive international migration following the pandemic. As of 2023, Taiwan’s total population was approximately 23.42 million, with a population density of 647 people per square kilometer. The