NTU's Participation in Government Research (2024)

In alignment with Taiwan’s Climate Change Response Act enacted in early 2023, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Ministry of Environment jointly released the "National Climate Change Scientific Report 2024: Phenomena, Impacts, and Adaptation (國家氣候變遷科學報告 2024：現象、衝擊與調適)." This report serves as the nation’s most comprehensive scientific assessment to date, synthesizing over 1,200 academic papers and government research findings to guide future policy on mitigation and adaptation.
 

Several NTU faculty members played key roles in authoring and reviewing the report, contributing their expertise in atmospheric sciences, oceanography, civil and environmental engineering, geology, and public health. Their research informed chapters addressing Taiwan’s climate trends, projected impacts, and adaptation frameworks across critical sectors—such as water resources, agriculture, coastal management, ecosystem resilience, and health.
 

NTU scholars helped strengthen the scientific foundation for government decision-making by advancing risk assessment methodologies and adaptation science. Their interdisciplinary collaboration within the Taiwan Climate Change Projection and Adaptation Information Platform (TCCIP) ensured that scientific data could be effectively integrated into national and local adaptation planning. The report further supports inter-ministerial coordination by providing evidence-based tools for assessing climate risks, enhancing resilience, and implementing Taiwan’s net-zero and adaptation goals.
 

By participating in this government-led research initiative, NTU demonstrates its commitment to bridging scientific inquiry and public policy. The University’s contributions enable policymakers to formulate data-driven strategies that address climate impacts while promoting sustainable and equitable development.  

NTU Contributing authors include:
 

• Yu-Chiao Liang (梁禹喬 ), Department of Atmospheric Sciences
• Yi-Chun Kuo (郭怡君 ), Institute of Oceanography
• Yu-Heng Tseng (曾于恒 ), Institute of Oceanography
• Wan-Ling Tseng (曾琬鈴 ), Graduate Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development
• Jo-Hsu Huang (黃偌栩 ), Institute of Oceanography
• Ming-Lang Lin (林銘郎), Department of Civil Engineering
• Chi-Wen Chen (陳麒文), Department of Geosciences
• Pau-Chung Chen (陳保中), College of Public Health
• Ching-Chun Lin (林靜君), College of Public Health
  
  
  
   

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In response to Taiwan’s rapidly aging demographic structure, Professor Tsung-Hsi Fu (傅從喜) from NTU’s Department of Social Work conducted the pilot study “Policy Challenges under Taiwan’s Changing Demographic Structure (因應我國人口年齡結構變化下的政策課題:先導研究),” commissioned by the National Development Council (NDC).

Taiwan entered an “aged society” in 2018 and is projected to become a “super-aged society” within the next few years. This demographic transformation presents complex social and policy challenges that require timely and evidence-based responses.

The study adopted a multi-method approach to map emerging issues and identify policy domains in urgent need of government intervention. It analyzed recent policy frameworks of major international organizations, examined media coverage and legislative debates on population aging and declining fertility, and reviewed existing national legislation and strategies. In addition, an expert survey gathered professional insights from scholars to guide future policymaking.
 

Findings from the project inform the NDC’s strategic planning and highlight the need for integrated policy measures addressing long-term care, intergenerational equity, and sustainable workforce participation. The collaboration exemplifies NTU’s active engagement in government research that bridges academic expertise with actionable policy development to strengthen social resilience in an aging Taiwan.
 

Supported by the Climate Change Administration, Ministry of Environment, Professors Yu-Ying Kuo (郭昱瑩) and Way Sun (孫煒) from NTU’s Graduate Institute of Public Affairs led the research project “Applying Nudge Theory to Promote Lifestyle Transformation for Net-Zero Transition (淨零生活轉型政策輕推理論之推動與研析).”  Recognizing that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires not only technological innovation but also behavioral change, the study explored how behavioral science and “nudge” strategies can encourage citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
 

The research compiled international and domestic literature on behavioral insights, ethical considerations, and policy applications. It also examined how government agencies in Taiwan and abroad have implemented “nudge-based” interventions. Two pilot domains—reducing the use of single-use plastic cups and promoting second-hand goods exchange—were selected for field studies and stakeholder interviews.
 

Drawing from behavioral data and public perception analysis, the project proposed experimental nudge designs and developed an enhanced Nudge Strategy Planning Guide, featuring a five-stage framework, ethical checklist, and expanded examples. The team also organized three national workshops to disseminate best practices among public officials. This collaboration demonstrates how NTU contributes evidence-based behavioral research to strengthen governmental capacity for climate action and citizen engagement in the net-zero transition.