President Tsai Ing-wen reiterates the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 during a prerecorded video address for the COP26 Taiwan Day event from the Presidential Office Nov. 7 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of PO)
 

President Tsai Ing-wen said Nov. 7 that the government is committed to expanding collaboration with partners around the world to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In recent decades, the world has faced increasingly grave challenges from extreme weather and climate change, Tsai said. As an integral part of the international community, Taiwan is looking to make greater contributions to leave a better world for future generations, she added.

Tsai made the remarks during a prerecorded video address for the 26th U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, Taiwan Day event.

According to the president, the government has been aggressively implementing an energy transition plan since 2016 and is coming up with an even more aggressive plan to expedite energy transition toward the net-zero goal. The target is also being incorporated into domestic law, she added.

In addition, the government is working with the private sector to jointly develop green energy, Tsai said, citing the examples of a 450% increase in installed solar power capacity over the past five years and the launch of the first offshore wind farm in 2019.

Tsai also took the opportunity to thank the participants for attending the event, adding that, despite the continuing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to tackle global climate crisis also require immediate and joint attention.

UNFCCC COP26 is underway through Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The U.K. COP26 Taiwan Day was held on the sidelines of the conference to convey the country’s commitment to tackling climate change and achieving the net-zero goal by 2050 with like-minded partners. (DL-E)