IT may have been excluded from government-level meetings at COP26 after pressure from China and attended as a non-governmental (NGO) delegation, but people took notice as Taiwan stressed its commitment to fighting climate change.

The delegation was only able to take part in NGO side events and activities during the conference.

However, it did manage to host an international reception to mark Taiwan Day to showcase its environmental efforts.

That was opened by President Tsai Ing-wen who, in a virtual address, said Taiwan was determined to join the rest of the world working towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

She said: “Taiwan is willing and capable to work side-by-side with our international partners to achieve our collective goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Taiwan regards attaining net-zero and mitigating crisis as our collective and generational responsibility.

“And for this very reason, Taiwan should be included as part of the solution to address the global climate crisis. No single country can do this alone.”

Taiwan has set long-term targets with a planned practical path to carbon neutrality by 2050 and short, medium, and long-term markers to be set for 2030, 2040 and 2050 for energy and industrial policies on the path toward net zero.

Its Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), along with other ministries and agencies, have launched a public consultation on visions for 2050, opening a dialogue with citizens on critical issues such as net-zero buildings, green transportation, low-carbon industries and a just transformation.

The country’s delegation was headed by Dr Chih-Hsiu Shen, the EPA’s deputy minister, who stressed their resolve to reach the 2050 target: “To show our determination to get there, we’ve initiated amendments to our Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act to transition to the Climate Change Response Act.

“Taiwan is continuing in its efforts to combat climate change in all sectors … We will fulfil our duty as a responsible global citizen, and bring Taiwan closer to those who share common values with us.”

The island nation has been collaborating with the UK in the renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind power.

This year the country suffered its worst drought in more than half a century, followed by abnormally heavy rainfall – an example of the extreme weather events seen elsewhere around the world – which highlighted some of the effects of climate change.

Eight tech companies have set up the Taiwan Climate Alliance with the goal of utilising renewable energy in all their manufacturing processes by 2050, leading others across the supply chain by their own example.

Traditional manufacturing, technology, finance and service industries have set up the Taiwan Alliance for Net Zero Emission, to reach net-zero carbon emissions at office sites by 2030 and at production facilities by 2050.

Taiwan’s government has introduced green finance and green bonds to support the climate actions of businesses and other private sector groups.

Glasgow Labour MSP and shadow public finance minister, Paul Sweeney, said Tsai’s 2025 net-zero commitment was one of the most ambitions in the region, adding: “As two island nations we share some common climate challenges. Taiwan’s plan to achieve a just transition is wonderful news and an inspiration.”

Stewart McDonald, the SNP frontbencher who represents Glasgow South, said he believed the world could learn from Taiwan.

He said: “Taiwan Day was an important part of marshalling the world towards a just transition to save our planet.”