The Minister of Environment said that Taitung County has the highest forest coverage rate in the country, but there is insufficient greening in the urban area.

Taitung County has the highest forest coverage rate in the country, but urban greening is insufficient. Environment Minister Peng Qiming said at a briefing held by the Ministry of Environment yesterday that urban forests can alleviate heat problems caused by winds.

Peng Qiming pointed out that the National Greening Plan was launched by President Lai Chengde last year and regarded urban greening as a resilient infrastructure as important as water supply and power supply.

The Ministry of Environment launched the urban forest expansion plan on April 30 and plans to propose a special urban forest law before the end of this year.

He said that Taitung County’s greening is mainly concentrated in mountainous areas, while lowland urban areas have insufficient greening. Winds often bring temperatures above 40°C, and urban streets lacking greening experience higher temperatures under direct sunlight.

The Ministry of Environment will refer to the experience of the European Green City Award to establish a national evaluation mechanism, and Taitung County is expected to become Taiwan's "Green City".

The department will coordinate public and private sector resources to assist local governments in implementing urban forest planning.

Zhang Genmu, deputy director of the Department of Climate Change, said that trees can not only lower urban temperatures, but also slow floods by absorbing rainwater.

He pointed out that this summer, Jinfeng Township in Taitung County had the highest average midday temperature, followed by Taitung City, Taimali Township and Dawu Township.

Zhang Genmu suggested that priority should be given to planting trees in areas where children, the elderly and disabled groups gather, and suitable tree species should be selected to promote long-term growth.

Trimmed branches or fallen trees will be recycled as wood resources to reduce the burden on the incinerator.

Hu Zhuochun, Vice President for General Affairs of National Taitung University, supports Peng Qiming’s idea of ​​a “green city” evaluation mechanism to encourage local governments to develop urban forests.

Su Yating, spokesperson for the Taitung branch of the Wilderness Association, called for the national greening climate adaptation plan to be included in the national spatial plan.