Taiwan Launches National Greening Plan, Encourages 'One Person, One Tree'

Taiwan's Ministry of Environment has launched its inaugural "National Land Greening Climate Adaptation Plan," aiming to bolster national resilience against climate change. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming announced that the ministry will host 50 communication events across Taiwan to build consensus and develop a national six-year plan by year-end. This initiative seeks to create a resilient green network for the nation, offering benefits such as cooling, disaster mitigation, and improved health.

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Climate adaptation cannot be solely government-led; it requires the participation of local governments, academia, businesses, and the entire public.

The plan moves beyond traditional landscaping, embracing "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS). Trees and urban forests are highlighted as the most economical and natural "urban fever reducers." The strategy aims to leverage the diverse functions of trees, including climate adaptation, extreme temperature reduction, air purification, and safeguarding local biodiversity. Green spaces will also provide crucial cooling shelters for vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, promoting "heat equity."

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Trees and urban forests are the most economical and natural 'urban fever reducers' in the face of high temperatures.

Peng emphasized the need for broad participation, stating that climate adaptation cannot be solely government-led. The ministry plans to collaborate deeply with local governments, academia, businesses, and the public. Scientific tools will identify high-temperature areas with low tree canopy cover for priority demonstration projects. The plan also addresses past issues of "neglecting maintenance and excessive pruning" by focusing on appropriate species selection and long-term care, working with the Ministry of Agriculture and private groups to implement professional tree care standards.

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We want to change the past pain points of 'neglecting planting and violent pruning.' In the future, we will broadly incorporate professional opinions from the government and the private sector to comprehensively promote the two core tasks of adaptive planting and long-term maintenance.

A significant component is the "One Person, One Tree" campaign, which will feature a digital platform for public participation. Citizens and corporations will be able to adopt trees in their communities, aiming to make tree guardianship a national trend. The ministry will also introduce smart management tools like digital twins and i-Tree for assessing forest benefits, giving each tree a "digital identity." Furthermore, the plan includes training "community green leaders and tree doctors" to empower local communities with tree care knowledge. The Ministry of Environment also plans to promote the circular economy through the "Woody Resource Recycling Promotion Act," focusing on material reuse, biochar, agricultural application, and energy recovery, creating a sustainable system from planting to resource recycling.

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We must provide citizens with participation tools for climate adaptation to enter local life. In the future, the plan will also establish a digital platform for nationwide adoption, launching the 'One Person, One Tree' initiative.