At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a briefing from the Ministry of Environment on the third phase of the National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (2023-2026). Initiated in 2013, the action plan adopts a process of phased adaptation to respond to the impacts of climate change. The premier instructed ministries and agencies to work closely with local governments to strengthen the overall resilience of the nation's climate change response and promote sustainable development across society, the economy and the environment.
Premier Chen pointed out that a total of NT$411.6 billion (US$12.7 billion) has been earmarked for investment in 126 projects during this third phase of the plan. These investments will enhance the nation's environmental adaptation capabilities, strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations, as well as introduce diverse adaptive strategies in urban and rural areas and bolster the management of water resources systems.
The global average temperature in 2023 is on track to be the hottest on record since the Industrial Revolution, the premier said, and Taiwan's annual average temperatures have also been rising over the past 50 years. In contrast to past initiatives which favored greenhouse gas reduction, international efforts increasingly emphasize the promotion and implementation of more holistic strategies to adapt to climate change. The premier emphasized that the success of the plan's current phase requires coordination across government ministries and agencies, cooperation across different fields, and the full participation of the public.