This year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11. Although Taiwan is not a UN signatory and therefore cannot officially contribute, Deputy Environment Minister Shih Wen-chen (施文真) said that it will endeavor to assist through alternative channels.
At COP28 in 2023, a Loss and Damage Fund was established to assist developing countries in coping with the effects of climate change. A total of US$700 million was put toward this fund. One of the focuses of COP29 is to increase these climate financing goals.
Shih said that as Taiwan is not a party to COP29, the system cannot accept its donations, and may instead include them among China’s donations. However, Taiwan can employ bilateral mechanisms such as aiding friendly and allied countries, in addition to implementing climate change adaptations locally and assisting in renewable energy installations.
As for whether Environment Minister Peng Chi-Ming (彭啓明) will lead a delegation to join COP29 peripheral meetings and activities, Shih said that a decision has yet to be reached. He pointed out that the conference is generally open to representatives from private groups, who are allowed to listen in and are only barred from sensitive discussions and closed-door meetings. As it stands, Taiwan can only participate in this capacity.