AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Protection: A man has been indicted for trying to smuggle eight black-breasted leaf turtles and a sedated marmot from China to Kinmen, highlighting the risks illegal wildlife trade poses to protected species and animal health. Green Finance: TSMC will list NT$14.8 billion in green bonds on Nov. 12, with proceeds earmarked for green buildings and environmental protection projects. Habitat at Risk: Taiwan’s endangered eastern grass owl habitat faces a threat from the planned Shalun Science Park, while New Taipei has introduced bird-safe bus stops. Climate Action: Taiwan has approved its first carbon-sequestration exploration, and advocates are calling for Taiwan to be included in COP31 discussions to strengthen global climate cooperation.

Climate Policy: Advocates are urging Taiwan’s inclusion in COP31 to strengthen global climate action. Taiwan’s updated resource-circulation laws prioritize waste prevention and reuse; its carbon-fee system has raised NT$4.97 billion for decarbonization, as plans for domestic emissions trading advance. Pollution & Health: A Taipei American School student presented research exploring a possible link between air pollution and IVF outcomes. The findings raise questions, but do not establish cause and effect. Wildlife & Habitat: A proposed Shalun Science Park threatens habitat for the endangered Eastern Grass Owl, while New Taipei is making bus stops safer for birds. Carbon Storage: Taiwan has approved its first carbon-sequestration exploration, a step toward assessing the technology’s potential.

Climate Policy: Advocates are urging COP31 organizers to include Taiwan in global climate efforts. Taiwan’s 2026 resource and waste-law changes also put more emphasis on waste prevention, reuse and resource recovery; its carbon fee has raised NT$4.97 billion for decarbonization programs, with a domestic emissions-trading system in development. Wildlife: A proposed Shalun Science Park threatens habitat for the endangered eastern grass owl, while New Taipei is making bus stops safer for birds. Pollution & Health: Taipei American School student Jeffrey Huang presented research exploring possible links between air pollution and IVF outcomes at an international medical conference; the reported account does not specify the findings.

Bird-Safe Streets: New Taipei has added bird-visible patterns to the glass at nine bus shelters, aiming to prevent collisions that account for about 9% of local wild-bird rescues. Taiwan’s Fossil Past: Pingtung’s marine museum is displaying a largely intact juvenile whale fossil, unearthed on the Hengchun Peninsula after heavy rain triggered a rockslide. Climate Action: Taiwan is working to turn its emissions targets into action on green industry, resource use and climate adaptation, as it faces extreme heat, heavy rain and typhoons. Habitat at Risk: The endangered eastern grass owl’s habitat is threatened by the proposed Shalun Science Park, raising concerns about the impact of development on local wildlife.

Wildlife and Development: Conservationists warn that Shalun Science Park plans could destroy prime nesting grounds for Taiwan’s critically endangered Eastern grass owl, the island’s only owl that nests in grasslands. They urge developers to create replacement habitat before construction. Carbon Storage: Taiwan has approved its first carbon-sequestration exploration, a step toward assessing the technology’s potential role in cutting emissions. Climate Policy: President Lai chaired a meeting of the National Climate Change Committee as Taiwan continues work on its climate response.

River Management: Advocates criticized the handling of river silt buildup in Taiwan, renewing concerns over how waterways are maintained. Carbon Removal: The ministry approved Taiwan’s first carbon-sequestration exploration, while the National Climate Change Committee held its ninth meeting. Land and Wildlife: Advocates called for protecting owl habitat in a proposed Shalun science park, and a Kaohsiung candidate known as “Forest Grandma” is campaigning against deforestation. A ministry-school agreement also aims to advance smart forest governance. Climate Impacts: Taiwan estimated US$2.49 million in crop insurance claims after Typhoon Champi. Green Innovation: A Taiwanese professor won an award in Paris for research turning wastewater into energy.

Climate Risks: A strong El Niño is warming the western Pacific, where seven super typhoons have formed this year; Taiwan has tallied about US$2.49 million in crop-insurance claims after Typhoon Champi. Carbon Policy: Taiwan has approved its first carbon-sequestration exploration, an early step toward assessing the option. River Management: Advocates are criticizing the handling of river silt buildup, raising concerns about how waterways are being managed. Habitats: In Kaohsiung, a local environmental advocate is campaigning against deforestation, while conservation groups are urging protection of grassland used by owls near a planned science park.

Carbon Storage: Taiwan approved its first geological exploration plan for carbon sequestration, allowing Formosa Petrochemical to survey a 2,500-square-kilometer area around Mailiao. The work will assess whether underground rock formations can safely store carbon dioxide; no storage site has yet been confirmed. River Siltation: Environmental advocates say NT$1.3 billion for bridge rebuilding in Tainan does not address alleged illegal woodland clearing upstream in a reservoir protection zone. Farmers say sediment is burying fields and damaging crops. Climate-Ready Farming: Taiwan’s tea growers are rethinking cultivation as climate pressures intensify, while researchers and policymakers face calls to strengthen adaptation planning. Wildlife Habitat: Advocates are urging protection of grassland used by owls at the Shalun science park site, where development could threaten habitat.

Carbon Storage: Taiwan approved its first geological exploration plan for carbon sequestration, covering 2,500 sq km around Mailiao and offshore waters. Surveys and drilling will assess whether deep rock formations can safely hold CO₂. River Protection: Environmental groups say illegal upstream clearing in Baihe’s reservoir protection zone is worsening siltation and damaging farmland. They criticize NT$1.3 billion in bridge-rebuilding funds without action on the clearing. Climate Adaptation: Tea growers are rethinking farming as climate pressures intensify, while President Lai has convened the National Climate Change Committee. Wildlife: Advocates want grassland protected for owls near a proposed Shalun science park; restoration work is also helping endangered Formosan landlocked salmon thrive in a creek.

Marine History: A nearly complete, 100,000-year-old whale fossil from Taiwan’s Hengchun Peninsula goes on public display Nov. 1, offering clues to the island’s prehistoric marine environment. Storm Impacts: Typhoon Champi has prompted an estimated US$2.49 million in crop insurance claims in Taiwan. Climate and Farming: Taiwan’s tea growers are adapting to mounting climate pressures, with some allowing nature to reclaim farmland. Habitat Protection: Advocates are urging protection of owl grassland threatened by a Shalun science park project, while a Kaohsiung council hopeful is campaigning against deforestation. Wildlife Recovery: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek. Clean Energy Research: A Taiwanese professor has won an award in Paris for research turning wastewater into energy.

Typhoon Recovery: Taiwan estimates NT$81 million in crop-insurance payouts after Typhoon Champi, with 11 counties and cities eligible for disaster relief and low-interest loans. Wildlife Conservation: A male eastern bongo has arrived at Taipei Zoo from the U.S. to support efforts to protect the critically endangered species. Natural Heritage: A nearly complete, 100,000-year-old whale fossil found on the Hengchun Peninsula goes on display in Pingtung on Nov. 1, offering clues to Taiwan’s prehistoric marine environment. Climate-Resilient Farming: Taiwan’s tea growers are rethinking practices as climate pressures intensify, with some letting nature take a greater role. Habitat Protection: Calls to protect grassland for owls in the Shalun science park project and opposition to Kaohsiung deforestation highlight tensions between development and wildlife. Restoration: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek, a sign of progress for the island’s native species.

Litter and Oceans: Taiwan’s Environment Ministry will bring the Japanese sport Spogomi to Taiwan, turning litter collection into a team competition to help keep trash from flowing into the sea. Climate Action: Taiwan says it is putting its 2035 emissions targets into practice through greener industry, resource recycling and climate adaptation, and is seeking a greater role in global climate efforts. Farming Under Pressure: Taiwan’s tea growers are rethinking cultivation as climate pressures intensify; a separate proposal highlights how Taiwan could share its climate-adaptation expertise with Türkiye. Storm Damage: Typhoon Champi brought destructive winds and extreme rainfall to Taiwan, injuring hundreds, flooding communities and disrupting flights. Wildlife and Land: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek, while advocates are urging protection for grassland owls threatened by a proposed Shalun science park.

Forest Protection: An 83-year-old Kaohsiung activist known as “Forest Grandma” is running for city council to oppose a development plan that could clear about 154 hectares of woodland. Wastewater Innovation: National Ilan University professor Wang Chin-tsan won a Paris award for research combining AI and microbial fuel cells to clean wastewater and generate electricity. Climate-ready Farming: Taiwan’s tea growers are rethinking cultivation as climate pressures intensify, with some letting nature take a greater role. Wildlife Recovery: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek, offering a sign of progress for habitat restoration. Typhoon Impacts: Typhoon Champi killed one person and prompted mass evacuations in Taiwan, underscoring the island’s exposure to extreme weather.

Climate Diplomacy: A commentary ahead of COP31 argues Taiwan could share climate-adaptation expertise with Türkiye, turning international pledges into practical action. Urban Resilience: Taiwan’s Environment Ministry and Taipei Tech have launched a smart urban-forest project, using data and digital modelling to guide tree management and assess cooling benefits for pedestrians. Wildlife Protection: Conservationists want 11.29 hectares of grassland habitat for eastern grass owls excluded from a planned Tainan science park development; the project’s environmental review has asked developers to assess avoiding key wildlife hotspots. Extreme Weather: Typhoon Champi killed one person and forced more than 1,200 people to evacuate as it battered Taiwan with heavy rain and destructive winds.

Climate Action: Taiwan is pressing to turn its 2035 emissions targets into practical steps on green industry, resource reuse and climate adaptation, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming says, while calling for stronger international cooperation. Farming: Tea growers are rethinking how they farm as climate pressures intensify, with some letting nature reclaim parts of their land. Wildlife: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek, offering a hopeful sign for habitat recovery. Extreme Weather: Typhoon Champi battered Taiwan last week, killing one person and prompting evacuations as torrential rain and flooding threatened the island.

Climate Action: Taiwan’s environment minister urged countries to turn climate pledges into measurable results, saying Taiwan is putting its 2035 emissions targets into practice through industrial transition, resource circulation and adaptation. Climate-Smart Farming: Tea growers are rethinking practices as heat and rainfall pressures intensify, with some allowing nature to play a greater role in cultivation. Typhoon Recovery: Typhoon Champi battered Taiwan, prompting evacuations and widespread flight and school disruptions as the island faced heavy rain and flood risks. Wildlife: Endangered Formosan landlocked salmon are thriving in a restored creek, offering a bright sign for habitat recovery. Waste Reduction: Taiwan’s Environment Ministry is also working with partners to promote greener packaging.