Taiwan’s Participation in International Environmental Affairs

Taking stock of the strengths and weaknesses in the field of environmental protection across various nations worldwide, there exist valuable insights and references for Taiwan’s environmental conservation efforts. The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) thus actively engages in international environmental affairs, facilitating the establishment of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries. Through avenues such as personnel exchanges, technology transfer, collaborative research, and more, the MOENV seeks to enhance the robustness of Taiwan’s national environmental framework, establish comprehensive environmental regulations, transfer environmental technologies, and consequently, share our nation's experience in managing regulatory frameworks and technical expertise, and aid the expansion of our domestic environmental industry into overseas markets.

The IEP

Since 2014, our nation has collaborated with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to drive the International Environmental Partnership (IEP), establishing an international platform for the exchange of environmental management practices and green technology. Over the years, we have organized more than 120 activities, with participation from environmental institutions and organizations from over 70 countries across six continents, involving more than 900 foreign officials, experts, and scholars. These activities have taken place in countries such as the United States, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. The IEP has advanced specific project initiatives, including the Asia-Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network (APMMN), the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), and the International E-waste Management Network (IEMN), accumulating and building upon Taiwan’s experience and capabilities in regional environmental services and exchanges, and gradually earning recognition from the international community.

In 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts persisted through virtual and hybrid conference formats to continue propelling the IEP and bilateral environmental cooperation. These endeavors encompassed various initiatives, including regional video conferences for the International E-waste Management Network (IEMN), expansion of monitoring points within the Asia-Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network (APMMN), and technical case exchanges related to soil and water technologies.

Taiwan-Japan Cooperation

In the year 2019, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and the Public Welfare Foundation Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, facilitating collaboration in environmental protection. The scope of cooperation spans domains such as environmental education, environmental impact assessment, air quality control and monitoring, marine pollution prevention and control, waste management (including resource recycling), and climate change mitigation and adaptation. As part of this engagement, periodic "Taiwan-Japan Environmental Meetings" are convened, alternating between the two sides, enhancing the exchange of information, experiences, and perspectives. In September 2022, the 10th Taiwan-Japan Environmental Meeting was hosted virtually by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, facilitating discussions on topics including “climate change mitigation and adaptation”, “plastic resource cycling”, “eco-friendly design and full recycling of motor vehicles”, and “mercury management strategies and implementation”.

Cooperation with Europe

Since 2020, the Taiwan EPA has been sending representatives to participate in the European Commission's "National Expert Professional Training Program." To date, we have had five members officially recognized by the European side. Through this program, we gain practical insights into the policies and operational methods of the European Commission, align our environmental protection policies with international standards, enhance our environmental expertise, and deepen the cooperative relationship between Taiwan and the European Union.

New Southbound Policy Countries

In September of 2021, the Executive Yuan approved the "Globalization Promotion Plan for the Engineering Industry (Policy White Paper) Phase 3," with our department responsible for overseas expansion of the environmental protection industry. In support of the pursuit of overseas opportunities and market expansion by members of Taiwan’s environmental industry, starting from 2022, the Taiwan EPA has been organizing visits and exchanges for the environmental protection industry in New Southbound Policy countries. We extend invitations to key personnel from Southbound countries stationed in Taiwan and to students studying relevant environmental disciplines from Southbound countries to see Taiwan’s domestic environmental protection industry. This initiative aims to promote our nation's competitive environmental technologies and facilitate exchanges between our environmental industry and Southbound countries. Additionally, we hold seminars for the environmental industry to provide information on potential talents from Southbound countries and assist industry players in understanding subsidies for venturing into Southbound markets. This effort is designed to encourage more overseas expansion among the industry. These seminars furthermore offer insights into the current market conditions in Southeast Asia and South Asia. By sharing the experiences of industry players who have successfully established a presence in these markets, we enhance bilateral exchanges and opportunities for expanding overseas markets.

Other International Organizations

At the same time, the Taiwan EPA actively engages in environmental protection-related affairs within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations. By staying informed about global environmental trends, we proactively formulate responsive strategies, fulfilling our responsibility and commitment as a member of the global community.