In order for the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement to be achieved, it is necessary that more nations are invited to participate in the discussions on screen, even if they do not belong to the UN, such as Taiwan
The United Nations Conference, also known as ECO-92 or RIO-92, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, was the largest in history on environmental preservation and development. Brazil was chosen, at the time, as the host nation of ECO-92 due to its environmental importance and global leadership in issues related to biodiversity and forests, among other factors. ECO-92 established the dynamics of Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the COPs, as the main forum to coordinate the global response to climate change. The first COP took place in 1995, in Berlin, Germany.
COP21, held in 2015 in France, established the Paris Agreement, which, in turn, introduced the obligation for all countries to present emission reduction targets and meet them to keep the increase in the planet’s temperature below 1 .5°C by the end of the 21st century; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and also strengthen the capacity of nations to deal with the impacts of climate change. This year 2024, from November 11th to 22nd, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 29th United Nations Conference on Climate Change will take place – a.
For the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement to be achieved, it is necessary that more nations are invited to participate in the discussions on screen, even if they do not belong to the United Nations (UN). This is the case, for example, of Taiwan, which is not a member recognized by the UN, due to political differences over its independence involving a powerful member: China. However, whether there is political opposition or not, openness is extremely important and necessary for more countries to join the COP debates.
Even though it is not yet considered an independent nation by China, it has a local government and structure, which effectively organize and control internal administration, formulating and executing public policies. Measures are already being taken, throughout 2024, by the Taiwanese government, to help the world achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Among them, the formation of the National Climate Change Committee, responsible for formulating concrete strategies against the climate crisis; the release of the first National Scientific Report on Climate Change; strengthening its environmental legal framework; and collaboration with international partners. Furthermore, it must also be considered that the island territory has a large population and is a prominent producer of chips and semiconductors — therefore, environmental concern must be constant there.
Therefore, the participation of Taiwan in COP29, as well as other countries that are in the same condition as non-members of the UN, is essential, so that these nations can exchange experiences and strategies with others. The idea is to facilitate and accelerate the achievement of the objectives of the Paris Agreement for a more environmentally sustainable world.
*Dr. Celeste Leite dos Santos is president of the Brazilian Institute for Comprehensive Victim Care (Pro-Vítima); Senior Public Prosecutor at the Appellate College of the Public Ministry (MP) of São Paulo; PhD in Civil Law; master in Criminal Law; and creator of the Victim Statute.
*Dr. Pedro Pereira Gomes is a lawyer; bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, with additional training in International Relations; and a master’s degree in Private International Law, from the University of São Paulo (USP). He is an advisor to the Pró-Vítima Institute and participated in the Taiwan ICFD Warehouse Logistics Training.
