Written by Laila Chin-Hui Fan. Taiwan joined the global initiative “Listening to Quiet,” reaffirming its leadership in soundscape conservation. From misty wetlands to the celebrated Quiet Trail, citizens practised deep listening as an ecological and philosophical act. These quiet walks are rooted in years of civic advocacy and reveal an emergent environmental ethic in Taiwan, where attentive listening becomes a form of humility, coexistence, and more-than-human care.
Written by Ching-yuan (Joy) Hung and Mu-Chen (Jenny) Liu. This article tells the shared journey of two NTU graduate students who interned at the Kew Gardens. Immersed in diverse experiences, including seed imaging, herbarium tours, and a culture of scientific exchange, they found renewed purpose in research, which led both to reimagine their paths toward doctoral studies and global collaboration.
Written by Ashley Cheng. This article argues that Taiwan’s current energy trajectory is incompatible with its high-tech goals. Unless Taiwan vigorously accelerates its clean energy transition, it risks energy bottlenecks that could impact not just its climate crisis but also threaten both its national security and economic competitiveness.
Written by Lena McEachern. This article argues that Taiwan should reinvest in nuclear energy for its energy security in the current geopolitical climate. It is also a relatively environmentally clean energy source. Although the referendum to open Maanshan reactor did not reach the legal threshold necessary to pass, the DPP should build momentum towards restarting decommissioned reactors.
Written by Paulina G. Karim and Kuang-Chung Lee. This article outlines how Taiwan is advancing the Satoyama Initiative through five strategic objectives set out in the 2023–2030 IPSI Plan of Action. By integrating knowledge co-production, institutional capacity, area-based conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable value chains, the authors highlight how Taiwan’s ‘3 in 1’ strategy contributes to global biodiversity goals through local and people-centred approaches.
Written by Mei-Hui Chen. This article introduces the concept of Ecotourism Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) and illustrates how they function through the case of the Shih-ba-luo-han-shan Forest Reserve in southern Taiwan. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and community participation, the DMO model supports sustainable ecotourism and biodiversity conservation.
Written by Mei-Li Hsueh. This article highlights Taiwan’s growing reliance on community-led initiatives for biodiversity conservation by displaying two examples, the leopard cat and Taiwan’s native freshwater turtles. This shift toward integrated, community-based approaches supports both ecological sustainability and rural development.
Written by Hsin-Hsun Huang. Addressing rural challenges, the Northern regional exchange base of the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI-N) focuses on connecting people to Taiwan’s Satoyama landscapes to achieve sustainability. By cultivating relational values through school partnerships, inter-partner co-creation, and inviting external engagement, it empowers local communities. It preserves vital environments for the benefit of both residents and broader society.
Written by Hwa-Ching Lin, Chih-Chin Shih, Hsiao-Tien Hsieh, and Chia-Tzu Chen. This article explores how Taiwan’s conservation vision has broadened from isolated reserves to an island-wide ecological network. Through data-driven planning, nature-based strategies, and cross-sector cooperation, the governance model contributes to ecosystem services that are essential to public safety, human well-being, and sustainable economic development.
Written by Paulina G. Karim. This special issue, co-produced by Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative, presents a “3-in-1” people-centred conservation strategy combining the Taiwan Ecological Network, Community Forestry, and Satoyama approaches. It shows how Indigenous and local communities steward the island’s bio-cultural landscapes.
Written by Brian Hioe. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved a referendum on resuming operations for the recently shuttered Ma-anshan nuclear power plant, while rejecting a referendum on capital punishment. Although the KMT pushed for both referendums as part of its electoral strategy, it did not appeal to the general public with either referendum, perhaps reflecting weakness of the KMT at the local level.
Written by Elizabeth Frost. This article examines how Taiwan’s ambitious offshore wind energy development strengthens its collaboration with Europe and shapes its global climate identity. It highlights the significant role of offshore wind in shaping Taiwan’s global image and identity as a responsible actor in addressing climate change.
Taiwan Insight 