Ministry of Environment (Taiwan)

The Ministry of Environment (Chinese: 環境部; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Khoân-kéng Pō͘), formerly the Environmental Protection Administration, is a cabinet-level ministry responsible for protecting and conserving the environment in Taiwan. This also includes, air quality, noise control, monitoring and inspection of environment, solid waste, recycling, sustainable development and international cooperation.[1]

Ministry of Environment
環境部
Huánjìng Bù (Mandarin)
Fàn-kín Phu (Hakka)
Agency overview
FormedMarch 1971 (as Department of Environmental Health)
22 August 1987 (as EPA)
JurisdictionTaiwan
HeadquartersZhongzheng, Taipei
Employees15,034 (est. 2004)
Minister responsible
Websitewww.moenv.gov.tw

It is led by the Minister for Environment, who is supported by two deputy ministers.

History

The environmental protection agency has evolved and been part of different departments over decades. Prior to 1971, the environmental portfolio was part of the Ministry of Interior which encompasses the Health portfolio.

From March 1971 to 28 January 1982, the Department of Environmental Health was established to look after protecting the environment. Various agencies such as the Department of Health and others managed the soil and water aspects of environment.

From 29 January 1982 to 21 August 1987, the Environmental Protection Bureau was established to take over responsibility for noise and traffic control, air, water, waste management, health responsibilities under the Department of Health.[2]

From 22 August 1987 to the 21 August 2023,[3] the Environmental Protection Administration was established becoming the one stop shop for all environmental policies, regulation, standards and enforcement. It encompassed toxic substance management, environmental sanitation and monitoring and inspection of the environment.

In May 2023, the Legislative Yuan approved the proposal to upgrade the agency to a ministry named the Ministry of Environment.[4]

Department Structure

First Tier

  • Office of Chief Secretary
  • Office of Minister
  • Office of Sustainable Development
  • Greenhouse Gases Reduction Management Office
  • Office of Energy and Resource Program
  • Office of National Clear up Program

Second Tier

  • Department of Comprehensive Planning
  • Department of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control
  • Department of Water Quality Protection
  • Department of Waste Management
  • Department of Environmental Sanitation & Toxis Substance Management
  • Department of Supervision Evaluation & Dispute Resolution
  • Department of Environmental Monitoring and Information Management
  • Bureau of Environmental Inspection
  • Air Pollution Control Fund Management Board
  • Recycling Fund Management Board
  • Soil and Groundwater Remediation Fund Management Board
  • Environmental Analysis Laboratory
  • Environmental Professionals Training Institute

Third Tier

  • Offices of Personnel, Accounting, Civil Service Ethics, Statistics and Secretariat
  • Committees for Legal Affairs, Petitions and Appeals
  • Public Nuisance Arbitration

Fourth Tier

  • Environmental Police Unit
  • Local Environmental Agencies

Ministers

Fuh-Sheng Shieu, the incumbent Minister of Environment

  Non-partisan/unknown  Kuomintang (Nationalist)  Democratic Progressive Party  New Party

NameTerm of OfficeDaysPolitical PartyCabinet
Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration
1Eugene Chien (簡又新)22 August 198731 May 19911378KuomintangYu Kuo-hwa
Lee Huan
Hau Pei-tsun
2Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康)1 June 199115 November 1992533KuomintangHau Pei-tsun
Larry Chen (陳龍吉)15 November 199220 November 19925KuomintangHau Pei-tsun
3Chang Lung-cheng (張隆盛)21 November 19929 June 19961296KuomintangHau Pei-tsun
Lien Chan
4Tsai Hsun-hsiung (蔡勳雄)10 June 199620 May 20001440KuomintangLien Chan
Vincent Siew
5Edgar Lin (林俊義)20 May 20006 March 2001290Democratic Progressive PartyTang Fei
Chang Chun-hsiung I
6Hau Lung-pin (郝龍斌)7 March 20016 October 2003949New PartyChang Chun-hsiung I
Yu Shyi-kun
7Chang Juu-en (張祖恩)6 October 200325 April 2005567Yu Shyi-kun
Frank Hsieh
Tsay Ting-kuei (蔡丁貴)25 April 20057 June 200543Frank Hsieh
8Chang Kow-lung (張國龍)8 June 200520 May 2007711Frank Hsieh
Su Tseng-chang I
9Winston Dang (陳重信)21 May 200720 May 2008365Democratic Progressive PartyChang Chun-hsiung II
10Stephen Shen (沈世宏)20 May 20082 March 20142112[5]Liu Chao-shiuan
Wu Den-yih
Sean Chen
Jiang Yi-huah
11Wei Kuo-yen (魏國彥)3 March 201419 May 2016808KuomintangJiang Yi-huah
Mao Chi-kuo
Chang San-cheng
12Lee Ying-yuan (李應元)20 May 20163 December 2018927Democratic Progressive PartyLin Chuan
William Lai
Tsai Hung-teh (蔡鴻德)4 December 201814 January 201940William Lai
13Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬)14 January 201921 August 20231946Su Tseng-chang II
Chen Chien-jen
Minister of Environment (since 22 August 2023)
1Shieu Fuh-Sheng (薛富盛)22 August 2023Incumbent265Chen Chien-jen
2Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明)20 May 2024Designate−7Cho Jung-tai

Transportation

The ministry building is accessible within walking distance South of Ximen MRT station of the Taipei Metro.

See also

References

External links