MOFA: Taiwan must not be excluded from climate change efforts

Speaking at an international forum on climate change, Chu said that “Taiwan’s access to international mechanisms to protect our interests and share our experience is very limited.”

“Taiwan is willing and able to actively cooperate on such issues that transcend national borders. Nevertheless, Taiwan’s lack of proper representation in the United Nations prevents the country from participating in international efforts in this regard,” she said.

Taiwan is not a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, but it has felt pressure from developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Even though Taiwan is excluded from the Kyoto Protocol and other related international conventions, Chu noted that Taiwan adopted the policy of “voluntary compliance” to international environmental agreements.

Taiwan initiated many efforts aimed at helping its allies in the South Pacific to build power plants, utilize renewable energies and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, Chu said, adding that her ministry as well as the Cabinet have stepped up efforts related to international cooperation and participation with a view to contributing more to the international community.

“A future of hope and opportunities begins with a clean environment,” she said.

The two-day forum has been organized by the non-governmental organization e-Parliament, which was founded in 2001 with the mission of bringing together legislators from around the world to address global problems such as climate change by encouraging lawmakers to introduce legislation on clean energy and environmental sustainability.

“We are not lacking in solutions,but rather in the implementation of solutions and in knowledge exchanges on mitigating climate change.” said Stefan Schurig, director of the Climate and Energy Program at the World Future Council and a co-sponsor of the forum.

The council is a non-governmental organization with the goal to work for a sustainable future in the fields of environment, peace and human rights.

Legislators from the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, Australia and Taiwan have gathered in Taipei for the forum which began Saturday to hear presentations on renewable energy and the state of Asia’s forests.

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