Scientists for the National Science Council (NSC) said yesterday that they had established a comprehensive system of indicators to evaluate the performance of sustainable development in Taiwan.
They said the model would be an ideal reference for policymakers in the future.
The project, which has been called Sustainable Development Indicators for Island Taiwan (
Yeh said yesterday that the system included at least 115 indicators showing the performance in different sectors relating to sustainable development in Taiwan.
He said the system took into account variables such as environmental pollution, ecological resources, and social and economic pressures.
He said that the system described the current state of Taiwan's environment and resources, the pressures brought upon it by economic activities and society, and the response of environmental institutions in terms of policymaking and laws relating to legal enforcement.
"The system reflects the real situation objectively, and some core indicators can explain the overall performance of sustainable development in Taiwan," Yeh said.
In the system, core indicators include such factors as energy efficiency; the prevalence of sewerage systems; the number of polluted rivers; the amount of remaining natural coastline; land area devoted to betel nut farming; and also the ratio of green areas to pavements and roads in urban developments.
Yeh said that the system could be used to signal exactly when policymakers should take urgent action in order to protect the environment.
In addition, it could be a reference for private organizations and for foreign firms wishing to invest in Taiwan.
Scientists in Yeh's group found that the ecological environment in Taiwan was deteriorating because industry was expanding without regard to the pressures it puts on natural systems.
"Take water supplies as an example. If industry continues to demand water at the rate it has in the past, there will be no way to prevent a constant water shortage," Yeh said.
Scientists said that the system of indicators was similar to those established by the UN and other countries but was slightly different due to Taiwan's unique diplomatic isolation.
"Because of its unusual diplomatic situation, Taiwan is not a part of the Basel Convention or Kyoto Protocol.
"But we can include the spirit of such international conventions in our laws," Yeh said.
Scientists, however, have said that building such a system of indicators of sustainable development could help Taiwan in the arena of international affairs.
Wang Chin-shou (
He said this observation had been based on previous experiences of participating in international conferences on the issue.
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