Understanding how climate change uniquely impacts diverse populations across different regions is essential for prioritising issues and designing effective interventions. While climate change affects regions and countries differently, a nuanced grasp of these impacts is crucial to crafting the most appropriate solutions. That is why AVPN’s APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 1.0 (APAC SSF 1.0), supported by Google.org and ADB, funded the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association (TGECA).
TGECA’s Energy Vulnerability Index
Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association, or TGECA, is a nonprofit organisation aiming to achieve Net Zero energy transition through innovative green energy/carbon reduction charity models and empowerment services ensuring that “no one is left behind”.
Based on the current trajectory of global warming, TGECA’s research found that there will be 75 more days of scorching summers in Taiwan by the end of the century without any interventions. They decided to collaborate with data company, Datayoo, to create an index that could show levels of fragility to climate change across different parts of the country – including how different marginalised communities would be affected.
The path to develop solutions with such an abundance of data was not an easy one. TGECA’s research model collects data based on 1) energy spent 2) efficiency 3) health and 4) thermal comfort. They utilise colour indicators in order to assess the severity of each of these four quadrants. By implementing this approach into local survey teams, they have deepened understanding of how climate change will affect different geographies and communities across the Taiwanese population in different ways with some being much more vulnerable than others.
This level of knowledge has had ripples on policy building. By deeply understanding the perspectives of citizens impacted by climate change, the organisation is able to make ripple effect by fuelling conversations with businesses, international bodies, and governments to potentially influence climate policy and regulations. With this kind of research analysis, newer insights and incentives can be created in order to shift global policy into a hopeful future.
Through the AVPN SSF 1.0 Fund, TGECA was able to successfully build capacity across their teams, management, research, and ultimately exploring the realm of deeper rooted problems within Taiwan’s climate landscape.
With the continued support of Google.org and ADB, AVPN is pleased to be able to work with a second round of grantees for the APAC SSF 2.0. Additionally, the Solutions Lab (SSL) initiative will highlight both cohorts in their many achievements towards a sustainable, innovative future. Read more about this initiative here.
