Taiwan's environmental movement developed alongside its democratization process, beginning with anti-pollution protests in the early 1980s and gradually forming a diverse network of environmental action. These movements are not simply about environmental protection — they reflect Taiwanese society's deep thinking about development models, quality of life, and intergenerational justice.
Germination: Anti-Pollution Protests (1980s–1990s)
The origins of Taiwan's environmental movement can be traced to several major pollution incidents of the 1980s. In 1982, students at National Taiwan University opposed DuPont's planned factory construction in Lukang — an early symbol of environmental activism. The subsequent Houching Fifth Naphtha Cracker protests and the Meinong Dam opposition movement both demonstrated the public's direct pushback against heavy industrial pollution.
Environmental movements during this period were characterized by a strong "anti-development" tenor. People faced direct threats to their health: air pollution, deteriorating water quality, soil heavy-metal contamination. In 1986, the Green Oyster Incident exposed heavy-metal pollution along the southern Tainan coast, drawing national attention. Taiwan at the time was in the midst of its economic takeoff, with "economy first, environment later" thinking dominating policymaking; environmental protests were often viewed as obstacles to progress.
The Environmental Protection Union was established in 1987, becoming Taiwan's first nationwide environmental organization. Its founding mission — "preserve a clean Taiwan for our descendants" — reflected society's growing reflection on the costs of development.
The Anti-Nuclear Movement's Long Campaign
Taiwan's anti-nuclear movement began in the 1980s and, more than thirty years on, continues. After the 1985 Chernobyl disaster, anti-nuclear sentiment in Taiwan intensified. In 1988, the "I Love Taiwan, Anti-Nuclear Grand March" drew tens of thousands of participants, becoming an important landmark in Taiwan's environmental movement history.
The controversy over the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant (Lungmen) became the central battleground of the anti-nuclear movement. From the start of its construction in 1999 to its mothballing in 2014, and through the 2021 referendum to restart it, the Lungmen issue spanned different administrations and different generations. In 2000, the Chen Shui-bian government announced the suspension of construction, but resumed it under pressure from the Legislative Yuan and the opposition. In 2014, the Ma Ying-jeou government decided to mothball Lungmen; in 2021, the "Restart Lungmen" referendum was defeated, temporarily drawing a line under this controversy.
The anti-nuclear movement's defining characteristic is cross-generational participation. From early academics and experts to the later Mothers' and Professors' Coalition and student organizations, and on to the most recent generation of youth, different age groups have all had channels to participate. The annual March anti-nuclear march has become a highlight of the Taiwanese environmental calendar.
The Long Battle Against Air Pollution
Air pollution in Taiwan began receiving serious attention in the late 1990s. The petrochemical industrial zones, coal-fired power plants, and steel mills of central and southern Taiwan caused severe air quality problems. After the World Health Organization classified PM2.5 as a Group 1 carcinogen in 2015, public concern about air pollution in Taiwan reached new heights.
Taichung Power Plant became the focal point of air pollution protests. This coal-fired plant — the largest in the world — emits approximately 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. Local and central governments have repeatedly clashed over coal-reduction policies, reflecting the complexity of the energy transition.
The air pollution problem in the Kaohsiung area is even more complex. The Dalin Pu area is surrounded by petrochemical industrial zones; local residents have long faced health risks. In 2018, the Kaohsiung city government launched the Dalin Pu relocation plan, but progress has been slow — demonstrating that resolving environmental justice issues requires considerable political will.
Changhua County, located close to Taichung Power Plant and itself burdened with industrial pollution, has long suffered poor air quality. Local environmental groups have driven the "Changhua Coal Reduction Alliance," calling on the government to actively reduce coal-fired power generation.
The Rise of Ocean Conservation Consciousness
Surrounded on all sides by sea, Taiwan was nevertheless relatively slow to prioritize ocean conservation. Beginning in the 1990s, ocean pollution problems gradually attracted attention. In 2000, the MV Amorgos fuel oil spill caused severe contamination of the marine area around Kenting, becoming a turning point for marine protection in Taiwan.
Marine debris became a focal issue in the 2010s. According to Environmental Protection Administration statistics, approximately 14,000 metric tons of garbage are cleared from Taiwan's coastlines annually, of which plastic products account for roughly 70%. These figures prompted society to begin taking "ocean plastics" seriously.
Taiwan's coral reef ecosystems are also under threat. The reefs of Kenting, Green Island (Lyudao), and Orchid Island (Lanyu) are bleaching due to climate change, pollution, and over-development. Marine conservation organizations have begun promoting coral restoration programs, though their effectiveness remains to be observed.
Cetacean conservation is another important dimension. Taiwan's waters host 32 species of cetaceans, but fishing activities, vessel noise, and habitat destruction all pose threats to them. Organizations such as the Cetacean Society of Taiwan promote cetacean rescue and conservation work, and advocate for the establishment of marine protected areas.
The Plastic Reduction Movement and Mass Participation
In 2018, the government began implementing "plastic restrictions": chain stores would no longer provide free plastic bags. This policy sparked a "plastic reduction movement" that shifted from government mandate to a nationwide campaign.
The distinctive characteristic of the plastic reduction movement is that it is "accessible to everyday life." Unlike the anti-nuclear movement or the fight against air pollution — issues requiring specialist knowledge — plastic reduction is an environmental action anyone can participate in. Bringing reusable shopping bags, using personal cups, and refusing single-use tableware became new social fashions.
Environmental groups promoted the "Plastic-Free Ocean" plan, combining coastal cleanups, educational outreach, and policy advocacy. Organizations such as the Society of Wilderness and the Black Tide Ocean Culture and Education Foundation hold regular beach-cleaning activities. These events attract large numbers of volunteers — corporate employees, student organizations, and members of the general public.
Convenience stores and hand-shaken beverage shops became primary targets of the plastic restriction policy. Starting in 2021, chain beverage shops were prohibited from using plastic straws, switching to paper straws or biodegradable materials. Although this initially prompted consumer complaints, it has gradually been accepted.
New Characteristics of Contemporary Environmental Movements
Entering the 21st century, Taiwan's environmental movement has taken on several new features:
Diversification of issues: Expanding from single-pollution protests to encompass climate change, biodiversity, and environmental justice. New organizations such as the Youth Climate Coalition and the Taiwan Environmental Planning Association address a broader range of environmental concerns.
Generational renewal: Young generations participate in environmental movements through social media and street activism. On the 2019 Global Climate Action Day, Taiwanese students also responded to the "Climate Strike," demonstrating the intergenerational transmission of environmental consciousness.
Science-based discourse: Environmental groups place greater emphasis on scientific evidence, collaborating with academia to conduct environmental monitoring and health risk assessment. The push on air pollution issues has made extensive use of health data and epidemiological research.
Policy participation: Shifting from past protest models toward policy advocacy and oversight. Environmental groups actively participate in environmental impact assessments and policy consultations, attempting to push reform from within the system.
International connectivity: Taiwanese environmental groups have begun participating in international environmental networks and exchanging with environmental organizations across the Asia-Pacific region. Global issues such as climate change and ocean protection have prompted local movements to connect with international counterparts.
Challenges and Prospects
Taiwan's environmental movement faces several ongoing challenges:
Economic development pressure: In global competition, balancing environmental protection and economic growth remains difficult. Energy transition and industrial transition both require long-term planning and social consensus.
Risk of politicization: Environmental issues can easily become politicized, affecting policy continuity. Nuclear energy policy is a clear example: different political parties in power have held different positions.
Generational differences: Different generations have different conceptions of environmental values, affecting the social foundations for policy promotion.
Resource constraints: Relative to corporations and governments, environmental groups have limited resources, affecting the scale and sustainability of action.
Taiwan's environmental movement has undergone forty years of development, evolving from anti-pollution protest to diverse action in pursuit of sustainable development. This process reflects the transformation of Taiwanese social values: from the pursuit of rapid growth to emphasis on quality of life; from individual interest to intergenerational responsibility. The next step for the environmental movement will be how to establish more effective environmental governance mechanisms within the democratic system.
Further Reading:
- Taiwan's Climate Crisis and Net-Zero Transition — how environmental consciousness has translated into a national net-zero transition policy and energy structure reorganization
References
- Taiwan Environment and Land Research Center — research on the history and development of Taiwan's environmental movements
- Green Citizens' Action Alliance — anti-nuclear movement and environmental policy advocacy
- Society of Wilderness — nature conservation and environmental education
- Homemakers United Foundation — everyday environmental practices and policy oversight
- Taiwan Environmental Information Association — environmental news and issue reporting
- Environmental Rights Foundation — environmental law and public interest litigation
- Environmental Protection Administration statistical data — official data on air quality, waste management, etc.
- Introduction to Taiwan's Environmental Movements, by Ho Ming-sho, Qunn Shiah Publishing, 2006
- Anti-Nuclear Movement and Taiwanese Society, by Fan Yun et al., Taiwan: A Radical Quarterly in Social Studies, 2014