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 the Republic of China (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)
JurisdictionRepublic of China (Taiwan)
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

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

№ Name Term of Office Days Political Party Cabinet
Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration
1 Eugene Chien (簡又新) 22 August 198731 May 19911378 Kuomintang Yu Kuo-hwa
Lee Huan
Hau Pei-tsun
2 Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) 1 June 199115 November 1992533 Kuomintang Hau Pei-tsun
— Larry Chen (陳龍吉) 15 November 199220 November 19925 Kuomintang Hau Pei-tsun
3 Chang Lung-cheng (張隆盛) 21 November 19929 June 19961296 Kuomintang Hau Pei-tsun
Lien Chan
4 Tsai Hsun-hsiung (蔡勳雄) 10 June 199620 May 20001440 Kuomintang Lien Chan
Vincent Siew
5 Edgar Lin (林俊義) 20 May 20006 March 2001290 Democratic Progressive Party Tang Fei
Chang Chun-hsiung I
6 Hau Lung-pin (郝龍斌) 7 March 20016 October 2003949 New Party Chang Chun-hsiung I
Yu Shyi-kun
7 Chang Juu-en (張祖恩) 6 October 200325 April 2005567 Yu Shyi-kun
Frank Hsieh
— Tsay Ting-kuei (蔡丁貴) 25 April 20057 June 200543 Frank Hsieh
8 Chang Kow-lung (張國龍) 8 June 200520 May 2007711 Frank Hsieh
Su Tseng-chang I
9 Winston Dang (陳重信) 21 May 200720 May 2008365 Democratic Progressive Party Chang Chun-hsiung II
10 Stephen Shen (沈世宏) 20 May 20082 March 20142112[5] Liu Chao-shiuan
Wu Den-yih
Sean Chen
Jiang Yi-huah
11 Wei Kuo-yen (魏國彥) 3 March 201419 May 2016808 Kuomintang Jiang Yi-huah
Mao Chi-kuo
Chang San-cheng
12 Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) 20 May 20163 December 2018927 Democratic Progressive Party Lin Chuan
William Lai
— Tsai Hung-teh (蔡鴻德) 4 December 201814 January 201940 William Lai
13 Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬) 14 January 201921 August 20231747 Su Tseng-chang II
Chen Chien-jen
Minister of Environment (since 22 August 2023)
1 Shieu Fuh-Sheng (薛富盛) 22 August 2023Incumbent66 Chen Chien-jen

Transportation

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

See also

References
  1. 行政院環境保護署 (22 November 2011). "行政院環境保護署全球資訊網".
  2. 系統管理者1 (9 July 2014). "組織職掌".
  3. Lu, Meggie (22 August 2008). "EPA celebrates birthday, vows work on emissions". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  4. "Cabinet Approves Plans to Upgrade Environment and Agriculture Agencies". ICRT. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  5. Longest-serving minister.
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