Is there a case for recognising Taiwan at the international science-policy interface for climate change?

Mabon, Leslie and Shih, Wan-Yu (2021). Is there a case for recognising Taiwan at the international science-policy interface for climate change? Frontiers in Climate, 3, article no. 750443.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.750443

Abstract

Taiwan’s COVID-19 response has won praise globally, but has drawn attention to Taiwan’s position in the international community. As global climate negotiations reach a critical point, we characterise three ways in which Taiwan is marginalised at the global science-policy interface for climate action. First, exclusion from formal climate negotiation mechanisms means Taiwan, as a high-emitting nation, does not have an international legally-binding obligation to respond to climate change and is absent from an important channel for mutual learning and alliance-building. Second, misrecognition or inconsistent recognition by international organisations obscures the local governance arrangements which have driven climate action in Taiwan to date, making peer-to-peer learning more difficult. Third, conflation of Taiwan with other entities in scientific exchange may lead to confusion or erroneous interpretation of underpinning evidence. Accordingly, we contend that understanding Taiwan as a distinct entity with its own social and political formations is critical for a richer global science and evidence base for climate action, and for recognising Taiwan’s obligations and shortcomings as a high emitter.

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