In the heart of the Pacific, where climate change is no longer an abstract debate, but a daily reality, Taiwan’s efforts to shape its role in global climate governance offer inspiration and lessons.
As the world grapples with rising seas and intensifying storms, the island nation is not only addressing its own environmental challenges, but positioning itself as a vital partner in the Pacific — a region that has become a battleground for geopolitical influence and a frontline in the fight against climate change.
Taiwan has long been excluded from the formal mechanisms of global climate governance, most notably the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), due to pressure from China. Despite this, it has voluntarily adhered to the Paris Agreement, setting ambitious targets such as achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and legislating its Climate Change Response Act.
These efforts demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to global climate action, but they also reveal a larger strategy: Leveraging climate diplomacy as a means of asserting relevance and countering diplomatic isolation.
The Pacific plays a central role in this strategy. Home to three of Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies — Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu — the region has become a key theater where Taiwan could showcase its contributions to global sustainability.
These nations, among the most vulnerable to climate change, face existential threats from rising sea levels. For Taiwan, helping them address these challenges is not merely an act of solidarity; it is a calculated effort to strengthen alliances and project its capabilities onto the global stage.
Take Palau, for example, where Taiwan has collaborated on renewable energy projects and marine conservation initiatives. These efforts not only highlight Taiwan’s technological expertise, but also position it as a partner that Pacific nations could rely on in times of crisis.
At the recent COP29 summit, Taiwan had a chance to organize several side events at Palau’s national pavilion, focusing on climate resilience and youth engagement in climate change. This platform amplified the voices of Pacific nations and underscored Taiwan’s role as a bridge between vulnerable states and the broader international community.
Beyond its formal allies, Taiwan is also seeking to expand its influence among Pacific nations that have diplomatic ties with Beijing. Countries like Fiji and Papua New Guinea, while officially aligned with China, share Taiwan’s concerns about climate impacts and have engaged with Taiwan on technical and scientific collaborations. This reflects a broader trend of “climate diplomacy,” where shared environmental challenges could override political barriers and foster cooperation.
The potential of Taiwan’s climate diplomacy in the Pacific extends far beyond its immediate alliances, offering a robust platform for regional collaboration and global leadership. By aligning itself with major regional powers such as Japan, New Zealand and Australia — nations heavily invested in Pacific stability — Taiwan could form multilateral coalitions that advance its climate objectives and geopolitical influence. These partnerships could amplify the region’s collective voice on climate issues, particularly as Pacific nations seek stronger commitments from global powers to address their existential environmental threats.
Even in a scenario where the incoming administration of US president-elect Donald Trump deprioritizes climate policy, Taiwan’s proactive engagement in the Pacific could resonate with US policymakers eager to counter China’s expanding presence in the region.
However, Taiwan’s leadership in climate action is not without its obstacles. Domestically, Taiwan has implemented progressive policies, such as launching its first national carbon market and mandating emissions reductions for industrial leaders such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Internationally, these efforts remain underappreciated due to Taiwan’s exclusion from pivotal platforms such as the UNFCCC. This limitation further elevates the importance of Taiwan’s climate diplomacy in the Pacific. By framing its efforts as mutually beneficial to the region, Taiwan could transcend its political isolation and reimagine its global identity.
A promising avenue for deeper engagement lies in the exploration of blue carbon opportunities in the Pacific. The region, with its vast seagrass beds, mangroves and coastal ecosystems, holds significant potential for carbon sequestration. Taiwan, having recently established a national carbon trading platform, is well-positioned to provide the expertise, methodologies and technological infrastructure needed to develop a comprehensive blue carbon trading network. Such an initiative could not only aid Pacific island nations in monetizing their natural resources, but position Taiwan as a pioneer in global blue carbon markets, further embedding it within international climate governance structures.
The Pacific represents a proving ground for Taiwan to lead by example. By assisting vulnerable nations in adapting to climate change — whether through renewable energy projects, marine conservation or developing resilience against rising sea levels — Taiwan underscores its capability as a responsible and innovative actor.
Moreover, such efforts could inspire other nations to adopt similar approaches, potentially fostering a global shift toward inclusive climate governance. Taiwan’s technical leadership in integrating blue carbon initiatives into its national climate strategy further enhances its capacity to collaborate with Pacific nations on sustainable solutions.
Taiwan’s actions in the Pacific could challenge the narratives that marginalize it on the world stage. For example, the recent COP29 summit saw an influx of youth-led non-governmental organizations advocating for bolder climate policies. Taiwan’s support for such grassroots movements, including facilitating platforms like the Okinawa Youth SDG Forum where 30 nations’ youth leaders issued a declaration emphasizing sustainable climate action, demonstrates the value of engaging diverse voices in global climate governance. These efforts further Taiwan’s image as a nation committed not only to environmental sustainability, but also to empowering the marginalized and amplifying underrepresented voices in international dialogues.
As the Pacific becomes increasingly central to global climate and geopolitical discussions, Taiwan’s strategic investments in the region could yield outsized benefits.
Whether through leveraging its carbon market expertise to develop regional blue carbon frameworks, or fostering inclusive coalitions with Pacific allies and non-allied nations alike, Taiwan’s actions reflect a forward-thinking approach to climate diplomacy.
By positioning itself as a partner and a leader in addressing the Pacific’s climate challenges, Taiwan not only strengthens its ties with the region, but paves the way for a more sustainable and inclusive global future.
This strategy highlights the dual opportunity of climate action: Addressing urgent environmental needs while redefining Taiwan’s role on the global stage.
Jack Huang is a research fellow of the UN, currently based in Taipei.
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