TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is set to significantly upgrade its environmental monitoring capabilities with a new specialized facility focused on air pollution. The Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部), Taiwan's central environmental protection agency established in 2023, revealed plans Monday (April 28) to launch a comprehensive air quality monitoring and forecasting center by mid-May. Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) outlined the initiative during testimony before the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (立法院社會福利及衛生環境委員會), a key oversight committee within Taiwan's parliament, emphasizing that organizational restructuring would create a more integrated approach to air quality management across the island.
During the parliamentary session, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Legislator Huang Shiou-fang (黃秀芳), representing Taiwan's ruling party, pressed for specific details on the implementation schedule. Minister Peng explained that while the initiative is progressing rapidly with staff reassignments already in motion, the restructuring still requires formal approval from the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's cabinet). He expressed confidence that the center would be fully operational by May, adding that the institutional reorganization is specifically designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays in responding to deteriorating air quality conditions that can impact public health.
The organizational change represents a significant shift in Taiwan's environmental emergency response system, enabling seamless conversion from monitoring to action when air quality deteriorates. Huang Wei-ming (黃偉鳴), who heads the Department of Atmospheric Environment (大氣環境司), a specialized division within the ministry, provided additional implementation details during the hearing. He confirmed that forecasting responsibilities had already been consolidated under his department earlier this month on April 10, though the more technically complex monitoring operations remain under administrative review. Huang also revealed that his team is completing Taiwan's first comprehensive Air Quality White Paper, a policy document scheduled for public release in conjunction with the center's mid-May launch. ★
