Urban Forestry Committee to Hold First Meeting on May 25, Chaired by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, says Minister Peng Chi-ming
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming announced that the "Urban Forestry Promotion Committee" will hold its first meeting on May 25. The committee will be convened by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, with Peng, Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, and Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung as deputy conveners. This initiative, part of the "Climate Adaptation Green Shade Doubling Plan," aims to develop a national urban tree-planting strategy by year-end after extensive consultations, leveraging public-private partnerships to enhance urban cooling and resilience against heavy rain.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 11:29
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(CNA, Taipei, 21st) Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming stated today that Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun will serve as the convener of the "Urban Forestry Promotion Committee," with himself, Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang, and Minister of Agriculture Chen Chi-chung serving as deputy conveners. The first meeting will be held on May 25.
On April 30, at the 7th meeting of the Presidential Office's Climate Change Response Committee, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming reported on the "Climate Adaptation Green Shade Doubling Plan," which includes the goal of promoting urban forestry. The proposal has sparked widespread discussion since it was introduced.
Today, during the Legislative Yuan's review of the central government's general budget for the Ministry of Environment, Peng told media before the session that relevant work has already been initiated within the Executive Yuan. The "Urban Forestry Promotion Committee" is expected to be composed of about 20 experts and scholars, along with other government ministries, and will hold its first meeting on May 25.
Peng said he has received a lot of feedback during this time, including reminders about the importance of tree pits and species selection. He admitted he is not a tree-planting expert but a climate expert, yet he guaranteed to find the best experts from different regions to discuss what is suitable for each location. He also pledged to significantly adjust past urban forestry practices that did not value trees or treat them as living things.
Peng stated that from June to October, they will go to local areas for discussions and consultations with experts and will cooperate with local governments. They expect to hold 50 communication and consultation meetings by the end of the year and propose a national urban tree-planting plan by year-end.
Regarding funding, Peng said that no budget has been allocated for this year, but the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has many saplings that can be provided and used in the future. He also believes that public-private partnerships should be utilized, as many enterprises are willing to plant trees but need the government to establish a platform. He anticipates that the required funds will not be substantial and will be included in next year's budget.
"The goal is not to find a piece of land and plant many trees right now," Peng said, "but to do what is appropriate for the terrain, focusing on urban areas where people live, to help trees grow better and to add more trees where they are lacking." He added, "This sounds simple but is very difficult to execute." The plan involves collaborating with local groups, community development associations, and tree-planting organizations to find a strategy for doubling Taiwan's urban forests.
Peng explained that planting trees can lower temperatures and reduce the impact of heavy rain, and it will be incorporated into the next "National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan." Furthermore, the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" encourages planting more trees in cities, making it a crucial implementation measure for ecological greening and climate change adaptation in the future. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150521
On April 30, at the 7th meeting of the Presidential Office's Climate Change Response Committee, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming reported on the "Climate Adaptation Green Shade Doubling Plan," which includes the goal of promoting urban forestry. The proposal has sparked widespread discussion since it was introduced.
Today, during the Legislative Yuan's review of the central government's general budget for the Ministry of Environment, Peng told media before the session that relevant work has already been initiated within the Executive Yuan. The "Urban Forestry Promotion Committee" is expected to be composed of about 20 experts and scholars, along with other government ministries, and will hold its first meeting on May 25.
Peng said he has received a lot of feedback during this time, including reminders about the importance of tree pits and species selection. He admitted he is not a tree-planting expert but a climate expert, yet he guaranteed to find the best experts from different regions to discuss what is suitable for each location. He also pledged to significantly adjust past urban forestry practices that did not value trees or treat them as living things.
Peng stated that from June to October, they will go to local areas for discussions and consultations with experts and will cooperate with local governments. They expect to hold 50 communication and consultation meetings by the end of the year and propose a national urban tree-planting plan by year-end.
Regarding funding, Peng said that no budget has been allocated for this year, but the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has many saplings that can be provided and used in the future. He also believes that public-private partnerships should be utilized, as many enterprises are willing to plant trees but need the government to establish a platform. He anticipates that the required funds will not be substantial and will be included in next year's budget.
"The goal is not to find a piece of land and plant many trees right now," Peng said, "but to do what is appropriate for the terrain, focusing on urban areas where people live, to help trees grow better and to add more trees where they are lacking." He added, "This sounds simple but is very difficult to execute." The plan involves collaborating with local groups, community development associations, and tree-planting organizations to find a strategy for doubling Taiwan's urban forests.
Peng explained that planting trees can lower temperatures and reduce the impact of heavy rain, and it will be incorporated into the next "National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan." Furthermore, the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" encourages planting more trees in cities, making it a crucial implementation measure for ecological greening and climate change adaptation in the future. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150521