Taipei, June 2 (CNA) Taiwan will continue its efforts on climate change despite the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord, a spokesman from the Presidential Office said Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the accord.
Alex Huang said although Taiwan is not a signatory to related agreements on climate change, the government and private groups have conscientiously taken part in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) activities.
Taiwan has also worked hard to achieve international targets for carbon emission reduction, he said.
"Taiwan's efforts will not change as a result of U.S. withdrawal (from the Paris Accord)," he said.
As a member of the international community, the policies of Taiwan's government embrace the principle of sustainable development of its environment, he added.
Environmental Minister Lee Ying-yuan said that the government's stance on safeguarding the climate change deal will not change, adding that climate change is a scientific fact to which world leaders have drawn attention.
He noted President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to combat global warming and ensure Taiwan does its part to safeguard the planet.
"Taiwan will not be absent from and will not change in this regard," he said.
At present, nearly 200 carbon emission reduction proposals are being undertaken by government agencies which Lee said he hopes will be approved by the Executive Yuan before the end of the year.
He said that everyone can contribute to energy conservation and carbon emission reduction, for example by setting air conditioners at above 26 degrees Celsius in summer.
