TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A National Tsing Hua University (NTHU, 清華大學) professor confirmed on Monday (Nov. 11) that Taiwan's delegation received support from allies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) for its participation in the COP29 summit. The delegation passed through security smoothly without any difficulties. Despite its non-signatory status, Taiwan's participation in the global climate conversation marks a significant step forward.
Professor Fan Chien-Te (范建得) from the NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology (科技法律研究所) highlighted Taiwan's upcoming carbon fee rates, set to be implemented in 2025 and collected in 2026. Fan emphasized that carbon pricing lays the groundwork for integrating carbon rights into market mechanisms. He warned that Taiwan must keep pace with Japan and South Korea, which are already advancing these policies.
Fan also assessed that COP30 in 2025 will require a focus on profound carbon reduction and the integration of green finance. He urged attention to the progress of carbon reduction across various sectors. Also, Chao Chia-wei (趙家緯), research director at the Taiwan Climate Action Network (TCAN, 台灣氣候行動網絡研究中心), noted that this year's COP emphasized finance as its central theme.
Discussions centered on the financial needs and contributions, with developing countries calling for US$1 trillion, while developed nations set a US$100 billion goal. Although Taiwan is not a contracting party, it appeared on the list of potential investors in this financial debate. The summit also featured two energy-related proposals: to increase global energy storage capacity sixfold by 2030 and advance hydrogen energy development, hoping for a worldwide hydrogen declaration.
