26. Mai 2011
déi gréng supports Taiwan’s entry into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and suggested Taiwan follow the European example of green development.
21 May 2010
International Green Parties Support for Taiwan’s Joining the UNFCCC
Prior to their departure from Taiwan on 21 May déi gréng (Luxembourg Green Party) will hold a joint press conference with the Green Party Taiwan. Honorable Felix Braz, Vice President of the déi gréng stated that the Luxembourg Green Party supports Taiwan’s entry into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and suggested Taiwan follow the European example of green development. PAN Han-sheng, Co convenor of the Green Party Taiwan, emphasized that this is an important breakthrough in Taiwan’s environmental diplomacy and even more importantly, is also a breakthrough for Taiwan in our quest for international relations, although with this, comes a heightened level of responsibility to respect the Earth and the rights of future generations.
Joining Mr. Braz on this visit are Honorable Claude Adam, Member of Parliament, Honorable Henri Kox, Member of Parliament and Mr. Abbes Jacoby, the Green Party parliamentary caucus Secretary-General.
Mr. Braz pointed out that in order to meet the challenges posed by the energy crisis and climate chaos we need nothing short of a revolution in energy which will take us from the predatory exploitation of resources and environmental destruction to a situation where the people are the beneficiaries of an effective response to climate change. The setting of courageous and responsible goals and energy taxes are some of the policy tools that can utilized to realize these objectives. Through investment in green technologies and services the European objective is to create five million green jobs over the next five years. At the same time, he emphasized that nuclear energy, which is both backwards and expensive, is not even one way that should be considered as addressing climate change, and will be of absolutely no help for the necessary and urgent task of reducing emissions.
He also noted that transportation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases and countries should address this by cancelling inefficient air-routes as well as cancelling inappropriate subsidies for personal automobile use while taking measures that encourage and facilitate bicycling, walking and affordable and appropriate mass transit systems.
déi gréng was established as a political party in 1979 with its first national MPs taking office in 1984. Of a total of 60 members of parliament in Luxembourg the greens currently have seven seats giving them control over the balance of power. The party is a member of the European Greens which also plays a key role as the fourth largest political party represented in the European Parliament.
The European Parliament on 10 March this year gave a showing of overwhelming support for Taiwan by passing a resolution calling for Taiwan’s joining the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as an observer. This year the European Greens promoted a series of resolutions for Taiwan to join the World Health Assembly (WHA) and to maintain the embargo on sales of weapons to China. On 2 May 2010, the last day of the Second Congress of the Asia Pacific Greens Network resolution 7 was passed also voicing strong support for Taiwan’s joining the UNFCCC, with MPs from Australia and New Zealand pledging their continued support for Taiwan in this regard. Australian and New Zealand are the first two countries with green parties, having been founded nearly forty years ago in 1972.
PAN Hansheng, the co convenor and spokesperson for the Green Party Taiwan stressed the importance of eco-diplomacy in Taiwan’s quest for international space but noted that with a per capita carbon foot print at three times the world average we must take measures that demonstrate responsibility. MA Ying-jeou, during his two year anniversary of taking office referred to “environmental protection can save the country”, yet during the past two years of his presidency development projects such as the Erlin Science Park project will result in an increase in carbon emissions of nearly 36 million tonnes, while projects such as the Kuokuang Petrochemical Park project supported by his administration will add another 67.25 million tonnes, accounting for a 27% increase over the current levels. Taiwan must immediately set a responsible carbon cap and address the broken industrial structure – the European experience is worthy of our attention.
For further information please contact the Green Party Taiwan
2392-0508 or Co-convenor/Spokesperson PAN Han-sheng 0935-295815
