Minister Peng Chi-ming Plans to Launch 'Urban Forest', Hoping for Continuous Tree Shade from MRT Stations to Offices
Taiwan's Minister of Environment, Peng Chi-ming, announced plans to propose a national 'Urban Forest' project by the end of the year to combat urban heatwaves. The initiative includes digital ID management for trees and a typhoon tree fall prediction system.
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- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 14:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 15:00 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 16:13 (1h 13m after Collected)
Echoing the theme of Earth Day 2026, "Our Power, Our Planet," the Ministry of Environment teamed up with the Taipei City Government and the Tzu Chi Foundation today to hold the "Green Energy Sustainable Earth Protection, Vegetarian Traceless Family Day" event. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming, Taipei Deputy Mayor Chang Wen-te, and Tzu Chi Foundation Deputy CEO Liu Hsiao-cheng attended the event together, calling on everyone to start with daily green actions to contribute to the earth's sustainability.
In a joint media interview, Peng Chi-ming stated that a national-level "Urban Forest" plan is expected to be proposed by the end of this year, and a dedicated tree-planting agency is planned to be established. The relevant planning will be reported to the President at the Presidential Office Climate Change Countermeasures Committee on the 30th.
Peng Chi-ming pointed out that scientists predict global temperatures may rise by up to 4 degrees Celsius by 2100, and a high temperature of 40 degrees in Taipei City during the summer may become the norm in the future. To save the earth, trees play a very important role; trees provide shade and can cool down the environment. He hopes that in 10 years, there will be tree shade all the way from MRT stations to workplaces in the Greater Taipei area.
Peng Chi-ming noted that diverse tree species will be considered, prioritizing native species, and avoiding areas unsuitable for planting banyan or blackboard trees. The plan will span the central government, local governments, and even down to the village and neighborhood levels, driven together by tree-planting teams. It will also design something akin to an ID card for trees and establish a complete digitized interface. Each tree will be treated like a person, receiving long-term care through digital methods.
Furthermore, Peng Chi-ming said that in places with many trees, whether there are better ways to let citizens get close to the trees and invigorate the local ecological economy is also an aspect being considered in the plan.
Peng Chi-ming added that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Central Weather Administration to establish a "Tree Fall Prediction System." During typhoons, this system would integrate wind power, wind direction, and tree information systems to predict potential falls, facilitating advance preparation. Although it won't be ready in time for this year's typhoon season, the hope is to complete it by the end of this year in response to next year's typhoon season.
Chang Wen-te stated that within Taipei City's "Cooling City" plan, one action is to "increase green coverage" for carbon fixation. The city has already planned short, medium, and long-term roadside tree planting plans in four major hot zones in Taipei City, including Wanhua, Shilin, Neihu, and the Eastern District, laying them out from points to lines to surfaces. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150419
In a joint media interview, Peng Chi-ming stated that a national-level "Urban Forest" plan is expected to be proposed by the end of this year, and a dedicated tree-planting agency is planned to be established. The relevant planning will be reported to the President at the Presidential Office Climate Change Countermeasures Committee on the 30th.
Peng Chi-ming pointed out that scientists predict global temperatures may rise by up to 4 degrees Celsius by 2100, and a high temperature of 40 degrees in Taipei City during the summer may become the norm in the future. To save the earth, trees play a very important role; trees provide shade and can cool down the environment. He hopes that in 10 years, there will be tree shade all the way from MRT stations to workplaces in the Greater Taipei area.
Peng Chi-ming noted that diverse tree species will be considered, prioritizing native species, and avoiding areas unsuitable for planting banyan or blackboard trees. The plan will span the central government, local governments, and even down to the village and neighborhood levels, driven together by tree-planting teams. It will also design something akin to an ID card for trees and establish a complete digitized interface. Each tree will be treated like a person, receiving long-term care through digital methods.
Furthermore, Peng Chi-ming said that in places with many trees, whether there are better ways to let citizens get close to the trees and invigorate the local ecological economy is also an aspect being considered in the plan.
Peng Chi-ming added that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Central Weather Administration to establish a "Tree Fall Prediction System." During typhoons, this system would integrate wind power, wind direction, and tree information systems to predict potential falls, facilitating advance preparation. Although it won't be ready in time for this year's typhoon season, the hope is to complete it by the end of this year in response to next year's typhoon season.
Chang Wen-te stated that within Taipei City's "Cooling City" plan, one action is to "increase green coverage" for carbon fixation. The city has already planned short, medium, and long-term roadside tree planting plans in four major hot zones in Taipei City, including Wanhua, Shilin, Neihu, and the Eastern District, laying them out from points to lines to surfaces. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150419