Is There a Case for Recognising Taiwan at the International Science-Policy Interface for Climate Change?
Journal
Frontiers in Climate
Journal Volume
3
Date Issued
2021-10-15
Author(s)
Mabon, Leslie
Abstract
Taiwan's response to COVID-19 has brought international recognition. Even with the first instances of sustained community transmission in 2021, cases and deaths have remained very low in comparison to other nations and outbreaks have quickly been brought under control. The pandemic has drawn attention to the capability of Taiwan to deliver an evidence-driven response to a complex issue-but also to Taiwan's marginal position in the international community. The fact that the country has suffered comparatively few cases of COVID-19 comes in spite of its exclusion from the World Health Organisation platforms for mutual support and knowledge-sharing (Nelson, 2020). As we look toward COP26 and the outputs of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Cycle over 2021 and 2022, it is hence worth reflecting on Taiwan's position in the international community for another global science-policy challenge: climate change. In this opinion piece, we illustrate three ways in which Taiwan is marginalised within climate change action, and show why this may be problematic for a comprehensive and evidence-informed global climate response. TABLE 1 | Titles used to identify Taiwan by a selection of international organisations involved in climate-related issues.
Subjects
climate change | democracy—East Asia | global environmental politics | science-policy | Taiwan
SDGs
Type
journal article