By Angel Li-hsin Liu

2021 was a challenging year for Taiwan, Canada, and the international community at large.

Spreading across 8,700 square kilometres of land, this year’s wildfire season in B.C. was the third worst on record in terms of area affected. Scores of people were uprooted as fires ravaged Lytton, Monte Lake, and other localities in the province.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese reservoirs shrank unprecedentedly for the first time in 56 years as they were enveloped by severe drought, before relief came in the form of abnormally high levels of rainfall. Together with floods across China and Germany, these events illustrate increasing volatility with the acceleration of climate change. There is widespread consensus among industrialized countries that more decisive action should be taken immediately to reduce carbon emissions as everyone is affected

To this effect, signatories of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main global platform for stabilizing greenhouse-gas emissions, meet annually at the Conference of the Parties (COP) to combat the most pressing issues concerning climate change. The meeting this year is taking place in the U.K. till the 12th of November.

Within the framework of the UNFCCC, Canada has joined hands with more than 130 countries in committing to net-zero emissions by 2050. Like Canada, Taiwan has taken concrete measures to curb the effects of climate change. President Tsai Ing-wen has also unveiled a clear objective to bring Taiwan into the net-zero fold by 2050, and established four working groups to focus on industry and energy efficiency, carbon-negative technology, decarbonized energy, and green transportation.

Despite Taiwan’s readiness to contribute and lend its expertise in the global effort to build a greener world, it remains outside the UNFCCC due to pressure from Beijing, which considers the island its own.

Taiwan’s participation in the UNFCCC is of critical importance, as it is a leader in green technology. The island powerhouse is an indispensable hub in the global EV supply chain. All parts necessary for a car can be sourced within a 200-kilometre radius in Taiwan.

As a case in point, 75 percent of Tesla components are supplied by Taiwanese companies. Apart from being a major provider of EV components, Taiwan is a centre for major EV research and development projects, such as Foxconn’s MIH open platform, Noodoe’s Smart EV charging-network management system, and Master Transportation’s E-buses and E-bus fast-charging solutions.

Energy-wise, Taiwan has made great progress in developing renewable energy. Turning away from nuclear power, the island nation has established offshore wind capabilities. Phase III of Taiwan’s offshore wind program is well-positioned to add an additional 15GW of capacity by 2035. Taiwanese solar panels now power major department stores, residential areas, and airports around the world.

As the international community continues to face challenges with climate change, the inclusion of Taiwan—the world’s 21st-largest economy and supply chain leader—in the global fight is crucial for a more sustainable future. With this in mind, Taiwanese representation at the UNFCCC is of paramount importance, and it must be achieved without delay. Taiwan stands ready to actively engage with all like-minded partners to achieve net-zero emissions.