Taipei was awarded the Citizen’s Choice Award at the 2014 City Climate Leadership Awards for its projects that tackle climate change.
Taipei’s winning BMW projects includes B for public rental bikes or buses, M for the Metro Rapid Transit system, and W for walking. These eco-friendly transportation modes are very convenient and popular in Taipei.
Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin received the award in New York. Hau said the award confirms that people in Taipei and around the world commend the city’s efforts in purifying air. The award is the only one out of eleven categories that is selected by public vote.
Taipei’s environmental protection director Wu Sheng-chung said the city was originally nominated for the Air Quality category. London won that category as it is promoting electric taxis.
The City Climate Leadership Awards is granted annually by a panel of former city mayors, architects, World Bank representatives, and a network of the world’s megacities.