Green Transition: Taiwan’s Climate Strategy and Prospects for EU Cooperation

Climate change remains a key issue in Taiwan and Europe, despite being undermined by geopolitical conflicts and economic challenges. The average temperature in Taiwan, Europe, and across the world reached record-high levels in 2024. During June and July 2025, Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves, with the highest 46°C recorded in Spain and Portugal. These high temperatures not only led to wildfires and drought but also increased sea surface temperatures and sea levels. These extreme events illustrate the worsening impacts of climate change, exacerbating wildfires, disrupting ecosystems, and leading to loss of life and economic damage.

Despite growing scientific consensus and public awareness, the global political focus on climate action remains inconsistent. Nevertheless, some efforts persist. The European Commission announced the “European Green Deal” in 2019, while Taiwan announced “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050” in 2022. Both aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This shared goal creates a platform for Europe, Taiwan, and relevant international organizations to deepen their collaboration on research, innovation, experience sharing, and trade. However, Taiwan, an island with a unique and often constrained geopolitical position in the international space, has struggled to establish its presence within international organizations and initiate formal dialogues with other countries. At the same time, Taiwan must navigate the complex task of balancing economic growth, cross-border collaborations, and the development of local green technologies. These competing priorities pose significant challenges for policymakers and stakeholders.

For Taiwan, climate action is not only an environmental imperative but also a diplomatic opportunity. As the European Union (EU) prioritizes climate leadership, Taiwan sees potential to strengthen ties with like-minded partners and enhance its international visibility. It is unclear to what extent this strategy will be effective, but it is an important force driving Taiwan’s net-zero emission efforts.

This Special Paper is part of ISDP’s Taiwan Studies Project and is undertaken by its Stockholm Taiwan Center. ISDP extends its gratitude to the contributors who brought informative insights from diverse perspectives. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the support from the Taipei Mission in Sweden, which enabled the realization of this edited volume.