Entitled “The EU Green Deal: Prospects for EU-Taiwan Circular Economy Cooperation”, the discussion was held on 16 June 2021.

In remarks delivered during the opening of the webinar, the Taiwanese Minister of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tzi-Chin Chang, highlighted the ongoing productive cooperation between Taiwan and the EU on the circular economy. Taiwan is working on organisational structures and regulations to strengthen the promotion of recycling, Minister Chang noted, before adding that the government is reviewing its carbon reduction pathway as the country moves towards the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

In the following introductory statement, Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate General for Environment of the European Commission, said that the cooperation between Taiwan and the EU on the circular economy has been in place for several years and is the core of the dialogue between the two sides. Furthermore, Drake added her belief that bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the two sides will continue to be strengthened in the future. The EU Green Deal is at the heart of the EU's post-pandemic recovery plan, the Deputy Director-General stated, as the bloc hopes to turn climate and environmental challenges into opportunities, and achieve a win-win situation for society, the economy, and the environment.

Rounding off the trio of opening remarks, Member of the European Parliament Alexandr Vondra described Taiwan as an important supplier to the EU's ICT industry and a highly developed country that is trying to develop a circular economy model. Taking this into account, Vondra labelled Taiwan an ideal partner for the EU's circular economy programme, which could, in time, be extended to global cooperation in addition to bilateral cooperation.

As Taiwan and the EU are pursuing similar environmental and economic objectives, participants discussed the fruitful and mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities and innovation that could be explored for both Taiwanese and EU businesses in the future.

Considering these opportunities, they analysed the potential for businesses and policy makers in Taiwan and the EU to assess how to shape mutually beneficial green cooperation in the circular economy and promote investment, trade, and technology exchanges.

The forum opened with brief remarks from Joanna DRAKE (Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment), Tzi-Chin CHANG (Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan) and Alexandr Vondra (Member of European Parliament) followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Charles Huang (Founder and Chairman of Circular Taiwan Network). The panelists included Kestutis SADAUSKAS (Director for Circular Economy and Green Growth, EU Environment), Yin-yin LAI (Director General, Waste Management Department, Environment Protection Administration of Taiwan) and ZC Chen (Chairman & CEO of BenQ Materials Corp).

related article: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/202106200105.aspx