Responding to Extreme Heat: Taiwan Environment Ministry Promotes 'Cool Map' and National 'Urban Forest' Planting

To strengthen adaptation to extreme heat, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) proposed a 'Cooling Action Demonstration Subsidy Project' last year, providing grants to 27 entities for energy reduction. It also piloted a 'Cool Map' to care for high-risk elderly living alone and is now planning a national-level 'Urban Forest' tree-planting project.

At COP30 last year, the 'Global Cooling Watch Report' warned that without action, cooling demand will triple by 2050. Following COP30's 'Sustainable Cooling Path,' the MOENV is prioritizing passive cooling and high-efficiency equipment. The subsidy project focuses on high-energy users like factories, schools, and hospitals. As of late last year, NT$84.59 million has been approved for 27 applicants, estimated to save 10 million kWh of electricity and reduce 4,740 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Furthermore, the MOENV piloted the 'Cool Map' in Tainan, integrating social welfare data to identify the top 5% of seniors at risk of heat injuries for priority care. Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming recently stated that the 'Urban Forest' national project will be proposed by the end of this year. The goal is to ensure continuous tree shade from metro stations to offices within 10 years, including a tree-fall prediction system for typhoon seasons. A report will be delivered to the President's Climate Change Committee on October 30.