by Linden Dexter, 2L.
[1] The recent 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) provided an illustration of a novel way to protect the climate: by passing the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 (NDAA).[1]
[2] Our climate is rapidly deteriorating, and the world is running out of time to come together and stabilize it. Humanity cannot afford to allow any country to prevent another country from participating in the global climate fight. In response to strong support among attendees for Taiwan’s inclusion in the conference, China reminded the world of its stance on Taiwan, stating: “There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China”.[2] China maintains that Taiwan is a part of China, while Taiwan does not. The two countries have been locked in a deeply ambiguous, pseudo cold war for decades. China wields significant economic and political influence on the global stage. For another country to defy China’s stance on Taiwan would most likely have disastrous effects for many nations that benefit greatly from Chinese trade. As a result, China’s brief statement regarding Taiwan at COP27 will most likely have a significant chilling effect on other nations and thus impede Taiwan’s aspirations to work more closely with the international community.
[3] Despite being excluded from COP27, Taiwan has nonetheless diligently worked towards a better climate future. In March of 2022, Taiwan published “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050”, a plan containing 4 major transition strategies for Taiwan in the fields of energy, industry, lifestyle, and social life, as well as legislation promoting sustainability and green R&D.[3] This indicates that Taiwan genuinely wants to cooperate with the rest of the world in working toward a better climate future, if given the chance to do so.
[4] Therefore, as part of its efforts to protect the environment, America must continue to counteract Chinese influence over Taiwan by passing the NDAA, which contains the TERA. Congress has passed the bill and has presented it to President Joe Biden.[4] The TERA contains approximately 10 billion dollars in security assistance and weapon procurement for Taiwan, as well as the establishment of training programs for Taiwan’s military. Though the link between a military funding bill and the environment may not be facially apparent, the benefit comes from Taiwan’s increased legitimacy on the global stage. Every action America takes to support Taiwan reverberates in the international community and indicates to the world that Taiwan is a valuable American partner. Just as China’s stance on Taiwan may have a chilling effect on international cooperation, America’s stance on Taiwan may have a warming effect that counteracts it. This, in turn, may encourage other countries to advocate more fiercely for Taiwan’s inclusion in global climate ventures.