To demonstrate Taiwan's eco-friendly "green power" policy in a post-pandemic world, the government in 2020 began promoting the "green lifestyle" concept built on the five pillars of green eating, green travel, green consumerism, green homes and green offices. Using local products while conserving resources and protecting the environment, the government is taking the lead and helping the public embrace a green lifestyle—from the home to the work environment—where energy conservation and carbon reduction is a real part of everyday life. Taiwan is now creating a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy by building an environmentally friendly lifestyle attitude and promoting development of local and green industries.
Main points of the policy
■ Green eating
Change food and beverage habits and behaviors, such as ordering only the amount to be consumed; taking leftovers home to reduce kitchen waste; favoring local and natural ingredients that are in season; consuming more fruits, vegetables and whole foods; and bringing one's own utensils. These habits will help conserve food resources and reduce waste.
■ Green travel
Encourage the public to choose environmentally friendly options when traveling, such as bringing one's own water bottle and toiletries, not replacing bedding or towels if staying multiple nights, and taking mass transportation. By planning eco-friendly and low-carbon itineraries, travelers can lower the burden on the environment, protect natural landscapes, and enjoy the local, green travel experience.
■ Green consumerism
Consume in moderation, reduce materials at the source, bring one's own shopping bag, choose green products that have a lower impact on the environment, reduce use of plastics and chemicals, save energy resources throughout the product-use cycle, extend the life of products, and recycle waste products.
■ Green homes
Cultivate an eco-friendly home environment by adjusting lifestyle habits, such as by using natural lighting, ventilation and environmentally friendly home products; cleaning and "greening" the environment, sorting and recycling trash; conserving water and electricity; and replacing aging appliances and two-stroke motorcycles.
■ Green offices
In the work environment, conserve energy and resources (water, electricity, fuel and paper), hold meetings via videoconferencing, control indoor air conditioning temperatures, limit energy use on equipment, reduce use of elevators, cut back on disposable tableware and single-use packaged drinking water, sort trash and reuse resources, conduct green procurement, beautify the environment with greenery, encourage employees to take mass transportation on business trips, choose green venues for events, and implement environmental conservation work in the office.