NTU and Ministry of Environment Sign MOU to Advance Net-Zero Transition and Environmental Resilience

In response to the challenges of climate change and to accelerate Taiwan’s path toward net-zero emissions and sustainable development, National Taiwan University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on "Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability" with the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) on April 21, 2025. The agreement was signed by NTU President Wen-Chang Chen and Minister of Environment Chi-Ming Peng. The partnership aims to establish a long-term and stable framework for cooperation, encompassing climate policy and technology research, talent cultivation, and resilience building—jointly shaping a climate action roadmap that balances mitigation and adaptation for Taiwan.

This collaboration focuses on three main areas: 1) Developing and offering courses related to climate action, adaptation, and sustainable development, providing diverse learning opportunities for civil servants, industry professionals, and green workforce talent; 2) Jointly promoting research on greenhouse gas reduction and removal, covering topics such as nature-based carbon sinks, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and the construction of MRV (measurement, reporting, and verification) mechanisms; 3) Integrating research capabilities from both institutions to formulate adaptation strategies for climate change, and fostering knowledge exchange and public engagement through forums and academic conferences. Additionally, to support deep energy conservation, NTU and the Ministry of Environment plan to collaborate with life insurance industry funds to promote ESCO (Energy Service Company) projects, aiming to reduce electricity consumption through energy diagnostics and equipment upgrades.

President Chen emphasized that NTU has long been dedicated to climate and sustainability issues, with strong academic capacity and interdisciplinary integration. This new model of cooperation will further deepen the linkage between academia and government. Looking ahead, NTU hopes to launch both short-term and long-term programs to cultivate talent in climate action and environmental sustainability. The university also plans to integrate research resources to formulate adaptation strategies, promoting Taiwan’s sector-wide results in climate and sustainability to the global stage.

Minister Peng noted that meeting the net-zero target requires not only policy leadership but also scientific support and societal participation. Climate action demands the collaboration and investment of all sectors. By partnering with academic institutions, policy needs can be effectively aligned with research capacity, accelerating national progress in decarbonization technologies, climate adaptation policies, and public awareness, ultimately building a more forward-looking system of climate governance and sustainability policy support. Chen Hui-Yu, Chairperson of the Life Insurance Association of the Republic of China and a distinguished NTU alumna who played a key role in bridging this collaboration, expressed hope that this effort will help all sectors move steadfastly toward the 2050 net-zero emissions goal.