Saint Lucia supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UNFCCC
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Thursday, March 11, 2010 – Honourable Stephenson King, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, in his address to the High Level Segment of the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on the 16th December, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, expressed Saint Lucia’s concern about the ”continued non-involvement of the Republic of China (Taiwan)” while the leaders across the globe gathered together and were negotiating for a binding deal to combat the global warming issue.
Prime Minister King made his appeal when he said: “Saint Lucia, as the CARICOM Lead Speaker on Sustainable Development, which includes climate change, would therefore like to underscore the fact that the entire Caribbean is highly vulnerable to the effects and impacts of climate change.” He further stressed that: “In life, and diplomacy, many things are negotiable, but the survival of our island homes is not. The lives of our people are not, and will never be negotiable, whatever the inducement.”
The mounting challenges confronting humanity in the 21st century are exceeds the destructive power of war. Human sustainability is undoubtedly growing increasingly vulnerable to the ravages of environmental degradation, overexploitation of natural resources and climate change. It is equally apparent that to overcome the challenges posed by such an immense undertaking as climate change, there must be concerted effort and cooperation among the world citizenry. Therefore, as the foremost organization that upholds the values of universal peace, respect, freedom and equality for humankind, the United Nations and its affiliated organizations should be at the vanguard to engineer an effective response. However, success is only measured by the depth of commitment of every nation, thus no meaningful contribution should ever be excluded.
Despite its importance in the international community, Taiwan has been excluded from meaningful participation in UN specialized agencies. Unfortunately, this has been to the detriment of both the Taiwan people and the global community as Taiwan not only has the means but also incentive to make a meaningful contribution. In truth, the threat of climate change for Taiwan is very close to home. As an island in the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is imperilled by rising sea levels and the ravages of extreme weather. The devastation left in the wake of Typhoon Morakot is a case in point where the storm triggered massive landslides and flooding that claimed many lives and caused untold amounts of property damage. Taiwan clearly has an urgent need to be a part of the global initiative to combat climate change.
In addition to incentives, Taiwan also has the financial means and technical capabilities to make a meaningful effort in this area. As the 18th largest trading economy with the 4th largest foreign reserve in the world, Taiwan has a highly technologically advanced and prosperous economy. Taiwan’s solar energy sector has already achieved significant market presence in the world with its impressive innovation. The government has also further encouraged the development of renewable energy by working to pass the Renewable Energy Development Act followed by public investments in these sectors in the coming years. Moreover, Taiwan’s growing democracy has cultivated an open society where human rights and freedoms are highly valued. In particular, environmental efforts have made headways over recent years as social concerns have become more prominent on the domestic agenda. Therefore, Taiwan not only aspires to participate in the initiatives of the UNFCCC, but is also clearly in a position to do so meaningfully.
Even while waiting for that day to arrive, Taiwan has already taken the initiative to combat climate change. As the world’s 22nd largest emitter of CO2, Taiwan has undertaken firm actions to curb emissions such as: abolishing price subsidies on electricity and oil products; amending the Energy Management Law; passing the Renewable Energy Development Act; and drafting a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. These policies have succeeded in raising Taiwan’s energy efficiency. In addition, Taiwan has voluntarily adopted measures that reflect the spirit of major UN agreements on environmental issues, even though it is yet to be a part of them. Taiwan has also become an active partner in the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol that protect the ozone, the Basel Convention that control the transportation of hazardous wastes across borders, as well as the Stockholm Convention that restricts the use of organic pollutants. These measures are a testament of Taiwan’s commitment and capability to fulfill its obligations to international environmental protocols.
However, Taiwan’s efforts are clearly weakened by its lack of involvement in major international agreements. Its exclusion from the Kyoto mechanisms has denied Taiwan enterprises from accessing the UN Clean Development Mechanism designed to help lower reduction costs for developed nations while also benefiting developing countries. With participation in the UNFCCC carbon reduction mechanisms, Taiwan will be in a stronger position to propose more ambitious reduction targets such as those set by Korea. Furthermore, Taiwan will be able to better structure and coordinate its efforts with that of the international community so as to achieve more effective results. In accordance with the UNFCCC principles of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ and ‘nationally appropriate mitigation actions’, we stand ready to share our mitigation and adaptation strategies under the post-2012 framework.
Since the Ma administration came into office in 2008, Taiwan has steered towards a path of responsible stewardship in both domestic and international affairs. This is evidenced by the government’s success in improving cross-strait relations for the betterment of global development. The urgent need for a global effort to stem the advancement of climate change clearly requires that Taiwan’s 23 million people are also included. Its policy makers and specialists should participate freely in international efforts as well as have access to information that advance the fight against climate change. It is hoped the international community will find a means to overcome the political barriers that prevent Taiwan from becoming an active and positive force in this ambition. The people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are grateful to all the countries, including Saint Lucia, that have demonstrated their support for Taiwan to participate in the activities and mechanisms of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, as well as in all post-2012 agreements.
Contact:
Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) |
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