Environmental groups yesterday urged people to participate in a climate march asking the government to commit to its nuclear-free and carbon reduction policies in line with the nation’s net zero road map.
The march, titled “Walk for Climate: Building a Resilient Taiwan” and organized by 10 local environmental groups, is to take place on Nov. 1 at Taipei City Hall East Gate Plaza ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The campaign is focused on enhancing Taiwan’s resilience in terms of sustainability and intergenerational justice, national security and energy autonomy, and democracy and cultural diversity.
Photo: Huang Yi-ching, Taipei Times
Green Citizens’ Action Alliance secretary-general Tsui Shu-hsin (崔愫欣) said Taiwan proposed its nationally determined contribution (NDC) target for the first time this year.
However, current decarbonization goals are not fully aligned with its net zero road map, and the strategies for the energy, transportation and manufacturing sectors are not clear enough, she said.
Therefore, the campaign is calling for everybody to work together to limit global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, thereby ensuring the sustainability of human society and ecosystems, she added.
Taiwan Climate Action Network director Chao Chia-wei (趙家緯) said the current NDC target of 38 percent carbon reduction by 2035 might be 20 percent short of the net zero goal by 2050 and should be raised to 52 percent.
To meet the 2050 net zero goal, Taiwan should accelerate energy transition and phase out coal-fueled power generation within the next 10 to 15 years, Chao said, adding that nuclear power should not be considered a solution given its high cost and the unresolved problem of nuclear waste.
Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner Yi Hsin (忻儀) said the “polluter pays” principle should be implemented, calling on high power-consuming sectors such as semiconductors to propose more ambitious green transition road maps and invest in renewable energy.
Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition coexecutive director Wu Yun-fang (吳昀芳) urged the government to consider the long-term impact of its economic polices on the younger generation.
It would be unjust to pursue economic growth and wealth while leaving extreme climate disasters, resource risks and uncertainty to future generations, Wu said.
Amnesty International Taiwan legislative and policy director Cheetah Liu-Lee (李俊達) said military conflicts like Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza not only consume lots of fossil fuels, but also have destroyed energy, water and food supply systems.
Taiwan should stop buying fossil fuels like coal or light oil from Russia, as such purchases fund Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accelerate global warming, he said.
Tsui said the march would begin at 12:30pm, with the route going from the plaza and passing through Songshou Square Park (松壽廣場公園).
The route would continue along Xiangti Avenue, Songshou Road, Songzhi Road and Xinyi Road Sec. 5, and then along Shifu Road, Songgao Road and Songzhi Road before returning to the plaza.
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