The “Launching Taiwan’s Green Growth: Asia Green Growth Forum” was held today (May 23), co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) and the National Development Council (NDC), with the Financial Supervisory Commission as co-organizer. President Lai Ching-te personally attended the event and led the official launch of the “Green Growth League” alongside domestic enterprises. He also presided over the unveiling ceremonies for the NT$10 billion “Taiwan Green Growth Fund” and Taiwan’s first “College of Sustainability” at National Tsing Hua University. The three pillars for Taiwan’s resilient path toward green growth are: industrial strength, financial momentum, and talent cultivation.

In his address, President Lai emphasized that “Green Growth and the 2050 Net-Zero Transition” is a core national development strategy. Over the past year, the National Climate Change Committee has consolidated diverse voices and efforts to establish a new national carbon reduction target and release Taiwan’s Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan. This year, Taiwan officially entered the era of “carbon pricing,” symbolizing a re-evaluation of environmental costs and Taiwan’s integration into the global carbon market.

President Lai highlighted three key milestones of Taiwan’s green growth:

1. Official Launch of the Green Growth League Initiated by the MOENV, the League comprises 17 domestic enterprises with strong green growth potential, along with relevant ministries and agencies. It establishes a public-private collaboration platform to serve as a robust foundation for Taiwan’s decarbonization efforts. Today also marked the beginning of in-depth dialogue with experts from Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) League, as Taiwan and Japan commence the Asia Green Growth Forum under a strategic net-zero partnership.

2. Inauguration of the Taiwan Green Growth Fund The MOENV secured a budget of NT$10 billion to be invested in emerging net-zero and sustainable industries. Through a government-led approach, the Fund aims to stimulate new momentum for Taiwan’s green economic development.

3. Unveiling of National Tsing Hua University’s College of Sustainability As Taiwan’s first academic institution founded on sustainability as a core value, the College will work with the government to cultivate green- collar professionals, promote technological innovation, and foster industry-academia collaboration. This marks a new era in climate education and research.

Encouraging all stakeholders, President Lai said, “Transformation may seem daunting, but with conviction, strategy, resources, and teamwork, Taiwan will seize the opportunity in the global net-zero race, delivering innovation in carbon reduction and achieving green growth.” He expressed gratitude to all sectors for their contributions and stressed that Taiwan is not only a participant but a contributor. With our technology, determination, and the collective strength of enterprises and the public, Taiwan can unlock infinite possibilities for green growth and move toward a more sustainable future.

Minister of Environment PENG Chi-ming noted that Taiwan is spearheading “Taiwan’s New Strategy for Green Growth,” redefining national carbon reduction targets and establishing the NT$10 billion Green Growth Fund. Over the next decade, this fund will support green growth investment programs to foster an ecosystem for emerging net-zero industries, catalyze private investment, optimize industrial structures, and promote green transformation. It will also expand the market for green-collar talent and drive economic growth. Minister Peng also presented Taiwan’s strategic roadmap for net-zero technologies and outlined support measures for low-carbon industrial transformation. He highlighted that working towards net-zero could reap co-benefits, concurrently reducing pollution and carbon emissions and improving air quality.

Kazuyuki KATAYAMA, Chief Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, stated that climate change and decarbonization are global priorities—not only for Japan and Taiwan but for the entire world. Since announcing its 2050 carbon neutrality goal in 2020, Japan has established its Green Growth Strategy, promoting decarbonization technologies and investment. In 2024, Japan launched the GX Acceleration Agency to mobilize both public and private capital for the green transition. In 2019, The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association signed a “Memorandum of Understanding for Environmental Protection Exchanges and Cooperation” with the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and has been actively supporting climate and environmental collaboration between Japan and Taiwan. Chief Representative Katayama expressed sincere hope that Japan-Taiwan cooperation will drive green growth across Asia and contribute to sustainable development regionally and globally.

The event featured a keynote speech by TAKADA Hideki, Director of Finance and Sustainability at the GX Acceleration Agency, titled “GX (Green Transformation): Decarbonization and Economic Growth.” He introduced Japan’s GX Acceleration Agency and GX policy framework, outlining the government’s plan to issue the ¥20 trillion Japan Climate Transition Bond—the world’s first sovereign transition bond—with a target of mobilizing ¥150 trillion in investment over 10 years, supported by growth-oriented carbon pricing mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to achieve decarbonization by 2050 while boosting economic growth and industrial competitiveness.

Additionally, the event hosted in-depth dialogue between experts from Taiwan and Japan. Notable participants included TANAKA Nobuo, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum; Professor ARIMURA Toshi H. of Waseda University; Lawrence YEN, CEO of M.I.H. Capital Management; and Niven HUANG, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting. Through expert exchanges, Taiwan seeks to chart its 2050 net-zero pathway and unlock new momentum for sustainable green growth.