Kuo-Hui Chang, Executive Officer of RSPRC

Since 2015, Risk Society and Policy Research Center of National Taiwan University, with the joint effort by scholars and experts, has published one book each year on risk and energy governance, targeting general public audience. We hope to walk out from school to engage business, government, city and society. We also hope that we can move from a normative vision initiative to a pragmatic action strategy, and we invite the public not only to understand the context, structure, and current situation of energy in our country, but also to further engage in specific behavior changes and take actions to support. The title of the book this year is "Initiating Energy Transformation in Taiwan", with four topics and fourteen articles, all of which are given titles with verbs. We hope that the energy transformation of Taiwan which has been eagerly pursuing in past years can accelerate and extend in wider areas, no matter it is top down or bottom up.

We hope that Taiwan’s energy transformation will become part of our lives and even inspire the people the new way to live. Therefore, the energy transformation will not be just a matter of now, nor will it be a matter of five or even twenty years of span. It will be a more long-term vision, preparation and work. Just as the two chapters of the book "Starting a Long-Term Transformation Roadmap for Energy Transformation"and "Social Technology Transformation and Energy Governance" tell us, if we only take a partial, gradual and short-term approach to review the current crisis and problems caused by the use of fossil energy, it won’t be able to address the root causes, and probably it will even trigger more uncertain and unknown crises. For example, we do not want the current serious air pollution problem be mitigated by a few strategies; however, we hope to solve air pollution problem with innovative thinking from a longer term perspective, and develop a new lifestyle in which environmental, cultural, and economic development all prosper.

In order to have a new lifestyle, endurance will be a huge challenge because we cannot stop once we start doing it now. We must constantly review the status quo, learn from others, and foster innovation. We must also apply innovative technologies or systems, with constant test and revision, to the existing society. Therefore, relevant policies must be reviewed from time to time, and new strategies must be constantly devised. Two chapters in the book, "Trend Analysis of the Development of Global Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform" and "Towards an Era of Transformation: Eradicating Replacement of Nuclear with Coal, Sacrificing Ecology and Enormous Costs", review the current state of phenomena and systems, and compare with other countries, then propose directions and methods that are achievable. The chapter "Policy Planning and Legal Review of Germany’s Recent Green Energy Policy" gives a more holistic review of what changes have been made in Germany’s green energy policy in recent years, and what future adjustments are needed. In brief, Germany has used a long-term and rolling strategy for road mapping, and pursues new life styles with endurance. We must have such understanding and try to implement it in government policies and society. In addition, the chapter "Urban Transformation Laboratory" points out cities, though on a smaller scale, are still effective units for energy transformation. This is particularly worthy of reference for major cities in our country.

In fact, in recent years, with the joint efforts of the Government, enterprises and the private sector, Taiwan has launched several specific measures for institutional adjustment and has set a mid-term target as an expression of its ambition. Among them, the 2017 Electricity Act amendment is a milestone. Although there is still criticism claiming it an unfortunate move, it has stepped out the stagnating situation since 1995. The two chapters, ‘Discussion on the Implementation of the Sustainable Energy Target in Taiwan's Electricity Act and its Supplementary Legislation’ and ‘the Enforcement of Electricity Industry Regulatory Authority and its Energy Transformation Capability’, are not only to explain the adjustment has been made, but also further point out that under the new law arrangement, we can now identify positive changes we can make to accelerate the transformation of electricity industry. In addition, "the Electricity Information and Analysis Under the Open Government Data Policy" provides a forward-looking action initiative, hoping that academics or research professionals can join in the effort to use GIS to give us a clearer picture of electricity supply and demand and, the possible ways to improve energy efficiency.

One of the most precious matters documented in this book is that many of our energy activists are already proactive and want to do their part to contribute to Taiwan's energy transformation. In the chapter, "the Justice Project of the Community Energy Transformation" and "the Three Kinds of Energy Transformation Evolution and Operation of the Community" show us the initiatives of the community. Although a community only represents a small portion of the whole population and energy production and consumption, it is also the most specific, direct and visible form of real life change. If we can assemble individual communities to learn from each other, observe and make changes, energy transformation will be practical, profound and long-term.

In addition, every citizen in the community is also an active unit of action for energy transformation, and citizens' innovation and participation is often the key to policy and community initiation. The chapter "Kaohsiung Wunfu Elementary School Reversing Air Pollution!"is a case study that is pitiful but inspiring. Even elementary school students can turn their predicament into innovative action, and the inspiration can be further extended to other education institutions. It is indeed a very attention-grabbing case of local education. In addition, the chapter "Public Participation" or "A Given Public Participation?" and "Imagine Penghu's Vision for Development "are practical demonstration of the enormous energy potential of civic participation. Failure to include citizens in the policy implementation and planning process is more likely to result in further failure. On the contrary, it is not only more effective but also sustainable in the long run to recognize the diversity and active participation of citizens.

If this book arouses the interest of readers, it is suggested that you can refer to the books "How To Transfor-nergy", "The 14 Lectures of Taiwan’s Energy Transformation" and "Ten Risk Lessons for Taiwan", which were published by the center previously. Of course, we also welcome you to participate in the center’s various lectures, workshops, training courses, salons and other activities, and give us feedback. On the road of energy transformation, you and we work together can produce more than double gains. Finally, we believe that righteous university social responsibility is not only an obligation, but also an honor.