淨零為目標，化永續資源為行動
Forum Introduction
Kaohsiung has been an industrial city which built up its foundation upon the industrial sector. It gave people an impression that it was a big factory, with no culture at all. The city has made massive contribution to the economy of Taiwan, while shouldering the burden of the development of heavy industry and petrochemical industry that generate a great amount of pollution, paying high environmental cost. Steering away from the gray tone as a city, Kaohsiung has put forth visionary plans and taken action to create a livable city where economy, society, and environment can be balanced.
To address the extreme weather, the city government has strived and pivoted to reduce carbon emissions. Upon the sustainable development goals (SDGs) suggested by the United Nations, the government is responding to the strategy and vision of “achieving net zero emissions by 205” proposed by our President Ingwen Tsai. The citizens and businesses have made joint effort to move toward a sustainable city. Since I took up the position as a mayor, I have been committed to pursuing the sustainable development in Kaohsiung by four pillar policies, “prioritize industry transformation,” “enhance employment status,” “facilitate transport construction,” and “improve air pollution.”
The city is gradually realizing the goal of “net zero emissions” as it joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance in 2020, and published the Kaohsiung City Voluntary Local Review (VLR) in 2021. Further this year (2022) in June, the city announced its pathway and strategies to reach net zero emissions. The city government team preemptively performed a big haul for the polluting sites of the refinery plant in Kaohsiung, and this helped reproduce brownfield. As a result, high-tech industries are attracted to base their work here, which increases diverse job opportunities. The team continues to promote the planning of an ecological city with an aim to mitigating air pollution and advancing toward zero-coal Kaohsiung. This is regarded as a path paved for low-carbon power generation. Moreover, the city will be well served with four lines of the metro system, complemented with the light rail transit, so that the citizens are provided various choices to move around the city in low- carbon manners.
Through the international forum, we hope to collaborate with individuals, communities, and industries to tackle climate change and overcome challenges together. It is necessary to connect with world and share the connotation of net zero emissions by 2050 with different nations, cities, businesses, and groups. From the idea exchange, we can absorb experiences, learn to establish a green living environment in a city of net zero emissions, and brainstorm to help industries lessen carbon emissions and seek for new opportunities of energy transformation.
“Sustainable Kaohsiung” will not be possible without everyone’s support. Kaohsiung might stall and hesitate as it progressed, but now we are pulling out all the stops and would like to invite more people to lean toward net zero emissions. My city government team and I will continue to work hard, making our home, lovely Kaohsiung, the favorite place of more people.
Transportation Information
High Speed Rail
A car ride from Zuoying High Speed Rail Station to Kaohsiung Marriott Hotel takes about 15 min
MRT
Take MRT Red Line to R13 Aozihdi Station. From R13 Aozihdi EXIT 2, and walk about 500m to Kaohsiung Marriott Hotel. The walk should take about 8 min.