On the occasion of the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP23) held in Bonn, Germany, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) shared its Home Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Project, implemented jointly with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as a case study of international cooperation in supporting small island countries to promote energy transition and enhance resilience to climate change.

On November 17, in the side event held by Taiwan Research Institute titled “Climate Finance for Sustainable Energy in SIDS” at the COP23 this year, the TaiwanICDF’s senior consultant, Mr. Robert Shih, presented the expected carbon emissions reduction and social benefits of the Project. The participants and attendees to the event include Mr. Bruce Kijiner, Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands, the official of the UNFCCC secretariat and a number of experts from different countries.

Mr. Kijiner emphasized in his speech the importance of international cooperation in supporting the small island countries to promote energy transition and to enhance resilience to climate change. Taiwan is one of the first partner countries helping the Marshall Islands develop renewable energy. With international assistance, the Marshall Islands will make every effort to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

In the face of severe threats posed by climate change, the Marshall Islands, a vulnerable small island country, is willing to take the “common but differentiated responsibilities” promoted by the UNFCCC. In 2016, the country submitted its intended NDCs, of which the objective is to reach 45 percent reduction in carbon emission from 2010 levels by 2030.

The TaiwanICDF provides a concessional loan through the Project for the implementing partner, the Marshall Islands Development Bank, to offer two types of sub-loans to its clients: energy efficient loan and renewable energy loan. With the technical support provided by the Marshalls Energy Company, households are encouraged to replace their inefficient appliances with the energy efficient ones and to install home solar PV systems. It is expected that the operations will not only alleviate the financial burdens of households, but also contribute to fulfilling the country’s reduction target. The Project serves as an example of Taiwan’s cooperation with developing countries in reducing carbon emissions and quantifying the outcomes to be achieved.

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• Update: 2018/01/02
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