New Taipei has placed sustainability and climate action at the core of its public agenda, issuing a Climate Emergency Declaration and committing to reach net zero by 2050. The city has strengthened its climate governance by establishing cross-sectoral steering groups. It has also published its Voluntary Local Review to monitor implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is an active member of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, with a commitment to phase out coal power by 2040. These efforts are supported by the “New Taipei City 2050 Net Zero Pathway and Climate Action White Paper”, which guides the city’s long-term transition across energy, mobility, buildings, resource efficiency, and workforce development. Public engagement and education are part of this approach, including initiatives such as the International Youth Climate Action Forum, the Sustainable Future Academy, and the Environmental Junior Director Program.
Equity challenges
- Serving a diverse territory with varied accessibility needs
New Taipei City spans dense metropolitan areas as well as coastal and mountainous districts. This geographic diversity means that residents experience different levels of accessibility and service availability in their daily lives, with people living in more remote or topographically challenging areas facing greater barriers to daily mobility and access to essential services. To address these disparities, the city has expanded public transport and shared mobility options across all districts. This includes the extension of the public bike-sharing system (YouBike) to all 29 districts as well as the introduction of rapid bus routes such as the “WOW BUS” express services and the “New Taipei City Bus” to improve connectivity in less accessible areas. In addition, welfare transportation services support older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with limited mobility, helping to ensure access to healthcare, education, employment, and other essential services.
- Managing development pressures and maintaining quality of life
Rapid population growth and industrial development place increasing pressure on land use, housing conditions, and environmental resources, particularly in high-density urban areas. Ensuring that development supports a healthy, safe, and liveable environment for communities across the city remains an ongoing challenge. Through its “Principles for Large-Scale” Development Projects, New Taipei City advances an integrated approach to urban planning that balances high-density development with the protection of green space, airflow, and water environments. Measures include requirements for greening statutory open space and limiting building frontage along waterfronts to improve ventilation. At the same time, the city promotes cross-jurisdictional spatial integration through the concept of a “one-day living circle,” strengthening connections with neighbouring cities and supporting a more accessible and sustainable shared living area.
- Addressing the green skills gap
New Taipei City identifies a growing demand for sustainability-related skills in the circular economy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable agriculture. Uneven access to training opportunities and gaps between education and industry affect workers, young people, and smaller businesses preparing for the net-zero transition, creating risks of exclusion from emerging green employment pathways. To support a just transition, the city adopted a “support first, then transition” approach, including continuous training and reskilling to prevent job displacement during the coal phase-out process. Through initiatives such as the “New Taipei Green Skills Development Program”, alongside institutions like New Taipei Labor University, the city is strengthening workforce readiness for low-carbon and green industries. Complementing these efforts, a network of Startup Hubs provides targeted training, mentorship, and collaborative spaces for young people across sectors including sustainability, logistics, creative industries, and innovation, supporting inclusive access to future-oriented employment.
Looking ahead, New Taipei City is advancing a development pathway that combines strong climate leadership with a commitment to community well-being. By expanding accessible mobility, managing development pressures, and supporting inclusive skills development, the city aims to build a resilient and inclusive net-zero future anchored in the SDGs and guided by the principles of a just transition.
