Page 23 - DIVA_1_2015

EPAMinrsterVNei(front row, fifth left), Frederic Laplanche, head of the European Economic Tmde Office rn Taipei (front row, fifth right)

and VrceMinisterof Foreign Affairs Vanessa Shih (frontrow, fourth right) were among the attendees ata carbon marketforum held in

Taipei in June Coui tesy of EPA
environmental sustainability values, choices. All stakeholders must and engaging in multilateral cooper-
conserve energy, reduce carbon share the responsibility for carbon ation. We have done our utmost to
emissions and environmental pollu- reduction and work together on the take practical steps that reflect the
tion, and create a low-risk environ- compromises that a long-term plan initiatives and efforts of the United
ment characterized by clean produc- demands. The experiences of the Nations Framework Convention on
tion, comfortable living standards, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Climate Change ({JNFCCC). Regret-
and unspoiled ecosystems. For EU tell us that those in power must tably, our country remains excluded
instance, by applying the concept make bold commitments and have from the {JNFCCC even today, des-
of "urban mining," waste is trans- the courage to follow through with pite our desire to become meaning-
formed into a resource. Besides them. Equally, there is also a price to fully involved in its meetings and
promoting recycling and reuse, if be paid if civil society is to do its part activities. Our participation would
Taiwan can seize the opportunity in mal6ng the world a better place. ei'iable us to receive much needed
to develop a green economy, as well As we confront climate change, we support and assistance from the
as integrate government policy and should be clear that it is not what international community. It would
legislation, public and private see- ideals we hold that matters, but ra- also enable us to do our bit by sha-
tor involvement, market forces, and ther what we are together willing to rtng Our experience ln enVlrOnmen-
technological innovation, it can re- accomplish. tal protection with the international
duce its carbon emissions, make the community and other countries in
transition to a low-carbon economy, For a long time now, Taiwan has need, thereby integrating Taiwan's
and achieve its environmental pro- quietly yet diligently gone about strengths into global climate
tection objectives. trying to fulfill its role as a res- action. ffl

ponsible member of the global vil-
After President Ma Ying-jeou lage by signing bilateral agreements
announced this year that
Taiwan's Iaingmen Nu-
clear Power Plant would
be mothballed after safety
inspections, he promised
to hold the Fourth Natio-
nal Energy Conference.
This will allow different
points of view on a blue-
print for future energy
development to be ex-
changed in a rational
manner. As we discuss
energy supply and de-
mand, we need to let the
public clearly understand
that the real potential
for reducing emissions
lies in our future energy

2
International l I