New Head of National Environmental Research Institute Appointed; Minister Peng: Building a National Think Tank
The Executive Yuan approved the promotion of Chang Shun-chin as the new head of the National Environmental Research Institute. Minister Peng Chi-ming aims to transform the institute into a national environmental research think tank using AI and scientific data.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 19:32 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (4h 30m after Collected)
(CNA Reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, 22nd) The Executive Yuan has approved the promotion of Chang Shun-chin, the original Director of the Department of Environmental Technology and Information, to the position of Director of the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) under the Ministry of Environment. Minister Peng Chi-ming expressed his expectation for NERI to significantly expand its research capacity and transform into a national environmental research think tank to provide scientific support for policies.
The Executive Yuan today approved key promotions within the Ministry of Environment. Chang Shun-chin, Director of the Department of Environmental Technology and Information, was promoted to Director of NERI; Yang Geng-yu, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Technology and Information (hereinafter referred to as the AI Department), was promoted to Director of the AI Department.
Peng Chi-ming stated that this personnel adjustment aims to deepen the technological transformation of environmental governance and strengthen national-level environmental research capacity to help Taiwan address the challenges of climate change and environmental resilience.
Peng pointed out that in the future, NERI will coordinate with the preparing 'National Climate Adaptation Resilience Center' and the 'National Chemical Emergency Safety Center' (both administrative corporations) to re-evaluate and integrate research resources. He expects NERI to significantly expand its research capacity and transform into a national-level environmental research think tank to provide scientific support for policies.
Peng mentioned that the AI Department will collaborate with various departments, agencies, and institutes to promote intelligent transformation. Through AI prediction monitoring, automated processes, and data governance, environmental management will shift from 'passive defense' to 'proactive warning.'
The Ministry of Environment stated that the new Director of NERI, Chang Shun-chin, has previously served as Director of the Monitoring and Information Division of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), Director of the Environmental Inspection Institute, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment, and Acting Director of NERI. During his tenure as the first Director of the AI Department of the Ministry of Environment, Chang successfully drove internal digital transformation and introduced AI tools to assist work, resulting in nearly 90% of internal staff using AI, the highest among central ministries, significantly improving administrative efficiency and reducing the burden on grassroots staff.
The new Director of the AI Department, Yang Geng-yu, has a deep background in promoting digital government. He previously served as a Senior Analyst at the National Development Council and Deputy Director of the Department of Digital Government at the Ministry of Digital Affairs. During his tenure, he pushed several key digital transformation projects, including the T-Road data exchange platform, the 111 short-code SMS service, and the universal cash distribution system, and is skilled in cross-departmental communication and system architecture design.
The Ministry of Environment stated that through this personnel layout, combining the depth of scientific research with the breadth of digital transformation will continue to strengthen the practical application of environmental technology and accelerate the dual progress of net-zero and digital transformation.
The Executive Yuan today approved key promotions within the Ministry of Environment. Chang Shun-chin, Director of the Department of Environmental Technology and Information, was promoted to Director of NERI; Yang Geng-yu, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Technology and Information (hereinafter referred to as the AI Department), was promoted to Director of the AI Department.
Peng Chi-ming stated that this personnel adjustment aims to deepen the technological transformation of environmental governance and strengthen national-level environmental research capacity to help Taiwan address the challenges of climate change and environmental resilience.
Peng pointed out that in the future, NERI will coordinate with the preparing 'National Climate Adaptation Resilience Center' and the 'National Chemical Emergency Safety Center' (both administrative corporations) to re-evaluate and integrate research resources. He expects NERI to significantly expand its research capacity and transform into a national-level environmental research think tank to provide scientific support for policies.
Peng mentioned that the AI Department will collaborate with various departments, agencies, and institutes to promote intelligent transformation. Through AI prediction monitoring, automated processes, and data governance, environmental management will shift from 'passive defense' to 'proactive warning.'
The Ministry of Environment stated that the new Director of NERI, Chang Shun-chin, has previously served as Director of the Monitoring and Information Division of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), Director of the Environmental Inspection Institute, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment, and Acting Director of NERI. During his tenure as the first Director of the AI Department of the Ministry of Environment, Chang successfully drove internal digital transformation and introduced AI tools to assist work, resulting in nearly 90% of internal staff using AI, the highest among central ministries, significantly improving administrative efficiency and reducing the burden on grassroots staff.
The new Director of the AI Department, Yang Geng-yu, has a deep background in promoting digital government. He previously served as a Senior Analyst at the National Development Council and Deputy Director of the Department of Digital Government at the Ministry of Digital Affairs. During his tenure, he pushed several key digital transformation projects, including the T-Road data exchange platform, the 111 short-code SMS service, and the universal cash distribution system, and is skilled in cross-departmental communication and system architecture design.
The Ministry of Environment stated that through this personnel layout, combining the depth of scientific research with the breadth of digital transformation will continue to strengthen the practical application of environmental technology and accelerate the dual progress of net-zero and digital transformation.