The Professional Medal for Environmental Protection is known as the Nobel Prize in the field of environmental protection in Taiwan. Established in 1996, the objective of this award is to encourage efforts in the field of environmental protection and to commend those who actively promote environmental protection. The award is divided into four categories : including the administrative award, academic award, practical award and honorary award. The selection process has three stages: primary, secondary and shortlist.

To encourage those who have contributed to the promotion of environmental protection to actively apply for the award, on August 16, 2019 the Environmental Protection Administration amended the "Directions for the Awarding of the Professional Medal for Environmental Protection by the Environmental Protection Administration". The amendment increased the number of winners in every category to reward those who have already contributed to promoting environmental protection for years, as well as to encourage all levels of environmental protection organizations and their staff to apply for the awards.