Kaohsiung’s Net Zero Institute Earns Recognition at the UK Green World Awards, Aligning the City’s Net-Zero Strategy with Global Trends

[Kaohsiung News] Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai presided over a municipal administrative meeting on May 26 and announced that the Net Zero Institute received a Silver Award in the Climate Change - Sustainable Development category at the Green World Awards 2026, organized by the UK-based Green Organisation. The Net Zero Institute was the only organization from Taiwan to receive an award this year, demonstrating that Kaohsiung's net-zero governance efforts are keeping pace with international developments.

Since its establishment two and a half years ago, the Net Zero Institute has delivered more than 230 courses and trained over 8,500 participants. Mayor Chen noted that, following the National Sustainable Development Award and the City Governance Excellence Award presented by Commonwealth Magazine in 2024, as well as this year's Green World Award, the Net Zero Institute has now received three major accolades. He stated that the latest recognition not only affirms the city government's efforts but also serves as motivation to continue advancing its net-zero initiatives.

The meeting also featured a presentation by the Google team titled "Driving Smart Kaohsiung: Real-World Applications of an AI-Powered Municipal Brain." Using practical examples such as responses to 1999 citizen service hotline inquiries, traffic accident investigations, and social welfare benefit integration, the team shared how artificial intelligence can expand the city government's administrative capacity and improve both the efficiency and accuracy of public services.

Regarding a report presented by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs on the implementation results of Kaohsiung's military dependents' village cultural and creative parks, Mayor Chen noted that Kaohsiung preserves the largest area of military dependents' villages in Taiwan. Initially revitalized through the "Housing for Preservation Program," these historic communities were incorporated into the city's Cultural and Creative Park Development Fund beginning in 2025, providing a more stable operational framework. He instructed the Bureau of Cultural Affairs to continue integrating military dependents' village cultural resources across army, navy, and air force dependents' communities, attract industry investment, enhance modern public facilities, and accelerate the revitalization of all military dependents' villages to realize the vision of a "Military Dependents' Village for a New Era."

Addressing sexual harassment prevention and anti-bullying measures, Mayor Chen stressed that all city departments should strengthen prevention and awareness efforts. He further directed agencies to immediately activate investigation and protection mechanisms upon receiving reports and instructed responsible authorities to closely monitor case progress.
To implement heat mitigation measures and strengthen early warning systems, Mayor Chen pointed out that the city government has established the "Kaohsiung City Government High Temperature Response Plan." The plan is activated when the Central Weather Administration issues an orange-level high-temperature alert. He instructed the Environmental Protection Bureau, Labor Affairs Bureau, Fire Department, Social Affairs Bureau, Education Bureau, and other relevant agencies to carry out response measures within their respective jurisdictions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Mayor Chen also reminded all city departments that the municipal policy interpellation session concluded on May 25 and urged them to actively follow up on commitments made to city councilors during the session to further improve municipal governance.