Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards-Most Livable City Excellence Award:Outstanding City
Kaohsiung City Government
Green Transformation of an Industrial City: Kaohsiung’s Net-Zero Vision & Sustainability Initiatives
Kaohsiung has transformed from an industrial hub into a livable, sustainable city committed to the UN SDGs and the 2050 net zero goal. To advance climate action, the city enacted the Self-Government Ordinance for Net Zero City Development and pioneered Taiwan’s first municipal carbon budget. In 2024, emissions fell 24.3% (16.07 million tCO2e) from the baseline year. The city developed a climate adaptation platform to boost resilience and signed the Berlin Urban Nature Pact. To deepen decarbonization, Kaohsiung promotes carbon credits and green bonds, advances growth along the semiconductor S-Corridor, and expands green transport through the circular light rail network, TPASS, and bus electrification. Environmental actions include boosting reclaimed water use, converter slag recycling, and reducing plastic use. Over 23,000 social housing units have been developed, along with Taiwan’s first Senior Housing Community initiative. The city also revitalizes historic sites, restores pheasant-tailed jacana habitats, and opened Kaohsiung Green Park. Through public-private and cross-sector collaboration, Kaohsiung has become a safe, inclusive, resilient model of sustainable urban development.