NbS, the Potentiality for Water and Environment (Taiwan-Netherlands Dialogue)

9/11(Wed.) pm2:00~5:00

Moderator

Director-General, Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Chien-Hsin Lai

Dr. Lai has been the Director-General of WRA since 2016. Responding to climate change, he accomplished legal works of Reclaimed Water Resources Development Act and Runoff Distribution and Outflow Control policy. He also promotes Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program for water environment to establish industrial sustainability and water resilience in Taiwan.

Representative, Netherlands Office Taipei

Guido Tielman

Before taking up his current assignment as the Representative of the Netherlands Office Taipei, Guido Tielman has worked with Dutch representations in Brussels, North-Macedonia, Chongqing and Mumbai and also for a few stints in The Hague. His expertise includes European Union related issues and promoting trade and investment in an Asian context. It is almost 30 years to the day that Guido returns to Taiwan. From 1991-1992, he obtained a one-year scholarship at the Political Science Faculty of the National Taiwan University, having finished his master’s degree in Sinology at the University of Leiden prior to that.

Keynote Speech

Engineer, Engineering Aesthetics Center, Sinotech Engineering Consultants

Chia-Ning Yang

Dr. Yang specializes in fluvial geomorphology, ecological engineering and environmental planning. She has dedicated for over a decade in the multi-disciplinary integration for stream restoration. She obtained her PhD in landscape architecture and environmental planning from University of California, Berkeley and Master’s degree in civil engineering from University of Tokyo.

The title of speech

Stream restoration as NbS: some examples in Taiwan

Short abstract of speech

The talk presents recent projects designed by Dr. Yang and her team based on fluvial geomorphology principles and near-nature construction methods. One of them has seen immediate responses of aquatic lives with 19 newly identified native species returned to the upper reach.

Senior consultant, rivers and river management at HKV / Representative, NL 2120

Ir. Job Udo

Ir. Job Udo is a Senior Consultant in River and Delta Management at HKV lijn in water and a representative of NL 2120. This ten-year program focuses on integrating nature-based solutions into policy measures and design standards for spatial development and water management. NL 2120 aims to drive economic growth in the Netherlands and internationally by promoting innovative NbS concepts and designs.

The title of speech

NL2120: elevating nature based solutions

Short abstract of speech

TBC

Associate Professor, School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University

Chyi-Rong Chiou

With over 30 years of experience in forest resource surveys, he annually assists the government in compiling national emission inventory reports for the forestry sector. He has long provided expert consultation on carbon rights to forest owners in Taiwan, establishing himself as a pioneer in the field of forest carbon rights measurement and trading, combining research and practical application. More recently, he has engaged in research on nature-based solutions and nature-related financial disclosures, offering professional consulting and implementation services to both government bodies and corporations. His work is actively advancing the application of biodiversity conservation strategies.

The title of speech

Biodiversity conservation challenges and opportunities - new opportunities for the integration of people, water and environment

Short abstract of speech

Biodiversity is facing direct driving factors such as changes in land/ocean use, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species, causing rapid collapse and becoming a serious challenge to human sustainability.

The 2022 CBD COP15 proposes a 2050 vision for biodiversity conservation and 23 goals for 2030, and a positive action for nature in 2030 to “Bend the Curve” on biodiversity loss and move towards living in harmony with nature in 2050. To achieve biodiversity conservation.

As the concept of nature positive attracts attention, all development work should evolve from the concept of mitigation hierarchy to the concept biodiversity net gain and the positive actions of natural restoration, especially through nature-based solutions to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity restoration, biodiversity credits and TNFD specific implementation plans create new opportunities for win-win situations for people, water and the environment.

Senior researcher, Deltares Research Institute / Associate Professor, Utrecht University

Gilles Erkens

Dr Gilles Erkens is an expert on land subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions in peatlands. He works on land subsidence around the world, whereby he uses science to provide perspective on how to deal with today's challenges. He is the chair of the Dutch National Research program on Greenhouse Gas dynamics in organic soils and peatlands, and responsible for the Dutch national inventory reporting to the UNFCCC and EU regarding emissions from organic soils.

The title of speech

Monitoring measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and subsidence in peatlands

Short abstract of speech

Following the Paris Treaty, the Dutch government decided in the national Climate Agreement that the greenhouse gas emission from the Dutch peatlands must be reduced by 1 Mton per year in 2030. It was however at the time unclear how this reduction target could be reached, as the effects of proposed measures were unknown. To investigate the effects of measures, the National Research Program on greenhouse gas dynamics in peatlands and organic soils was initiated. Within the research program, an unique number of measurements have been conducted on subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions at different measures. This not only provided input for regional policy plans, but also changed the way the Netherlands reports on greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands. This presentation will summarize five years of research on subsidence and emissions from peatlands and discusses the policy implications. The outcomes may be relevant because many countries have to deal with increasing interest in emissions in peatlands and increasingly stringent demands to the reporting hereof.   

Engineer, Water Resources Planning Branch, Water Resources Agency, MOEA

Yuh-Rong Guh

Dr. Guh earned a PhD from National Cheng Kung University, specializing in hydraulic engineering with a minor in ecology. In addition to flood-prone areas planning and management, She is also dedicated to ecological conservation, public participation, and environmental governance in regional drainages. Lately, she's focused on natural solutions for inland peatland preservation.

The title of speech

Trial and Implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the Toushe Peatland

Short abstract of speech

The project takes Toushe Peatland as an example to explore the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in addressing climate change and social challenges. Formed over thousands of years, the carbon-rich Toushe Basin is a valuable peatland ecosystem providing important ecological services. However, improper management has led to ecosystem degradation and exacerbated climate change trends.

A policy of "flood control during the flood season and constant water retention during other times" has been formulated through resource inventory, on-site monitoring, and the establishment of public participation platforms. Measures such as water retention on basin slopes, floors and channels have also been implemented. These measures consider agriculture, tourism, and sustainable environmental utilization, bringing tangible benefits to farmers. They promote the on-the-ground implementation of NbS designs, thereby achieving multiple environmental, social, and economic co-benefits.

AGENDA

  • 14:00-14:10
  • Opening Remarks

    Chien-Hsin Lai
    Director-General, Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs

    Guido Tielman
    Representative, Netherlands Office Taipei

  • 14:10-14:30
  • Keynote Speech
    Stream restoration as NbS: some examples in Taiwan

    Chia-Ning Yang
    Engineer, Engineering Aesthetics Center, Sinotech Engineering Consultants

  • 14:30-14:50
  • Keynote Speech
    NL2120: elevating nature based solutions

    Ir. Job Udo
    Advisor flood management and partner, HKV

  • 14:50-15:10
  • Keynote Speech
    Biodiversity conservation challenges and opportunities - new opportunities for the integration of people, water and environment

    Chyi-Rong Chiou
    Associate Professor, School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University

  • 15:10-15:25
  • Tea break
  • 15:25-15:45
  • Keynote Speech
    Monitoring measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and subsidence in peatlands

    Gilles Erkens
    Senior researcher, Deltares Research Institute

  • 15:45-16:05
  • Keynote Speech
    Trial and Implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the Toushe Peatland

    Yuh-Rong Guh
    Senior Engineer, Water Resources Planning Branch, Water Resources Agency, MOEA

  • 16:05-17:00
  • Panel Discussion、Group Photo
  • 17:00
  • Farewell