NTHU Engagement in SDG Policy Development with Governments and NGOs

THE Impact Rankings 17.2.1 — Relationships with Regional NGOs and Government for SDG Policy

1. Institutional Commitment to Evidence-based SDG Policy Development

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) contributes academic expertise and research evidence to sustainability-related policy discussions involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international professional institutions.

Drawing upon interdisciplinary research in environmental science, climate governance, education, law, public health, and social policy, NTHU faculty members support the identification of policy challenges, development of strategies, evaluation of existing practices, and consideration of institutional improvements.

The university's engagement includes governmental expert consultations, commissioned research, public advisory committees, collaborative environmental investigations, international policy research, and evidence-informed educational interventions.

Through these activities, NTHU seeks to connect academic research with public policy needs and support more inclusive, transparent, and adaptive approaches to sustainable development.

2. Water Pollution Prevention and Watershed Policy Development

2.1 Government Expert Consultation on September 23, 2025

On September 23, 2025, NTHU's Touqian River research team and the Taiwan Clean Water Action Alliance participated in an expert consultation on water pollution prevention convened by an audit authority.

The consultation addressed pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, cross-jurisdictional coordination, technological applications, and governmental oversight.

NTHU researchers contributed scientific perspectives based on their investigations of river water quality, sediment contamination, and biological toxicity.

The discussions examined whether existing monitoring data adequately identify pollution events and how government agencies could integrate different information sources to improve environmental risk management.

2.2 Improving Pollution Monitoring and Risk Assessment

The research team emphasized that monthly and annual average water-quality measurements may conceal short-duration pollution events.

Researchers therefore recommended analyzing environmental monitoring data at finer temporal resolution to improve the identification of abnormal pollution episodes.

They also highlighted the importance of sediment investigations, which can provide information about longer-term pollutant accumulation that may not be reflected in routine water sampling.

Integrating water-quality measurements, sediment investigations, and toxicity-related research can provide a more comprehensive basis for environmental risk assessment and pollution prevention.

2.3 Cross-jurisdictional Data Sharing and Watershed Management

The consultation also addressed institutional challenges arising from fragmented environmental and industrial information.

Recommendations included improving data sharing across administrative jurisdictions, linking environmental and industrial records, adopting risk-based management approaches, and strengthening long-term research and monitoring support.

For drinking-water intakes, participants discussed improved early-warning systems, pollution-source identification, and emergency response preparedness.

These recommendations provided research-informed perspectives for reviewing watershed governance and pollution prevention arrangements.

2.4 Draft Watershed Governance White Paper

The Touqian River project also prepared a draft white paper entitled "The Weight of a Thousand Sips of Water," examining watershed governance challenges, including sediment pollution, emerging contaminants, water-resource protection, and collaborative management.

The draft connected scientific research findings with community concerns and environmental advocacy perspectives.

Together, the consultation and white paper demonstrate how NTHU and a local environmental NGO contributed directly to governmental policy discussions and the identification of possible governance improvements.

The documented outcome was the provision of expert advice and research evidence. Subsequent governmental adoption or regulatory amendment would require separate official confirmation.

Relevant SDGs: 6, 11, 16, and 17.

3. Educational Equity and Evidence-informed Local Education Policy

3.1 Language Learning Support at Hulin Elementary School

Since 2025, NTHU has supported language learning opportunities for students at Hsinchu Municipal Hulin Elementary School through its participation in the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program.

International scholarship recipients have been involved in language-learning activities and cross-cultural educational engagement, including activities reaching students participating in remedial education.

According to information submitted by NTHU's Office of Global Affairs, approximately 35% of Hulin Elementary School students come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The initiative seeks to improve access to diverse language-learning experiences and support educational inclusion.

3.2 Monitoring Educational Outcomes

The collaboration is particularly relevant to evidence-informed policy because it includes reported monitoring of students' learning outcomes.

According to the university's departmental submission, Hulin Elementary School tracked changes in participating students' learning motivation and language performance.

The school reported positive progress, including among students receiving additional learning support.

Such monitoring provides a basis for discussing the effectiveness of educational interventions designed to address unequal learning opportunities.

3.3 Feedback to Local Education Authorities

NTHU's departmental submission further states that Hulin Elementary School provides learning outcomes and related monitoring information to local education authorities.

These records may inform the review and refinement of educational support measures and local language education strategies.

The initiative illustrates a process linking educational intervention, outcome monitoring, feedback to public authorities, and consideration of policy improvements.

Additional official records are needed to verify the specific indicators reported, the submission of findings to the education authority, and any subsequent governmental policy changes.

Relevant SDGs: 4, 10, and 17.

4. Climate Policy, Energy Transition, and Carbon Market Governance

4.1 Local Climate Policy and Carbon Credit Consultations

Professor Chien-Te Fan of NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology has contributed legal and policy expertise to discussions concerning climate governance, energy transition, and carbon markets.

In March 2025, Professor Fan participated in discussions associated with Kaohsiung City Government concerning carbon credits and decarbonization policy.

Topics included energy efficiency in public buildings, energy service arrangements, solar energy, and carbon market mechanisms.

These discussions connected local government policy needs with academic expertise in environmental law, carbon management, and low-carbon development.

4.2 Renewable Energy Regulation and Carbon Capture and Storage

Professor Anton Ming-Zhi Gao of NTHU has participated in expert consultations concerning renewable energy market regulations and carbon capture and storage (CCS) policy.

Activities reported in 2025 addressed competition in renewable electricity markets, environmental governance of CCS, and regulatory issues associated with emerging low-carbon technologies.

These consultations provided opportunities for researchers to contribute legal and institutional perspectives to energy transition policy discussions.

In 2026, Professor Gao also participated in consultations concerning local governments' greenhouse gas reduction implementation plans for 2026–2030.

Such engagement contributes to policy analysis and the consideration of regulatory strategies for climate action.

4.3 International Carbon Credit Cooperation under the Paris Agreement

NTHU faculty members have also participated in governmental discussions concerning international carbon credit cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

In April 2025, university researchers took part in exchanges involving Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Climate Change Administration, and international development partners concerning opportunities for cooperation with Guatemala and Paraguay.

In May 2025, related activities included climate and carbon market discussions involving Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In April and September 2026, Professor Chien-Te Fan participated in further climate cooperation exchanges involving Palau and Paraguay.

These activities brought academic legal and policy expertise into international governmental discussions on carbon market development and climate governance.

They demonstrate participation in policy dialogue and institutional exploration, without implying that proposed carbon credit projects were subsequently approved or implemented.

Relevant SDGs: 7, 9, 13, and 17.

5. Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Judicial Policy Development

5.1 Executive Yuan Policy Coordination on Human Trafficking and Racial Discrimination

Professor Yun-Hsien Lin of NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology served as a ninth-term member of the Executive Yuan's Coordination Task Force for Anti-Human Trafficking and Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Her term ran from March 13, 2023, to March 12, 2025.

The task force brings together relevant government ministries and external experts to review and coordinate measures concerning human trafficking prevention, victim protection, racial discrimination, human rights safeguards, and cooperation with civil society.

Through this appointment, NTHU faculty expertise contributed to an established governmental policy consultation and coordination mechanism.

5.2 Reproductive Health and Assisted Reproduction Policy

Professor Yun-Hsien Lin served on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Eugenic Health Advisory Committee through December 2025.

From August 2025 to February 2026, she also participated in governmental reviews concerning assisted reproduction and surrogacy legislation.

These consultations addressed reproductive autonomy, gender equality, parental rights, family relationships, and legal safeguards.

Professor Lin contributed legal and gender-related perspectives to the consideration of institutional and legislative approaches.

5.3 Judicial Yuan Research on Child Support for Minors

From 2024 to 2025, Professor Yun-Hsien Lin served as Principal Investigator of the Judicial Yuan-commissioned project "Qualitative Research on Child Support for Minors," completed in collaboration with Guan-Ling Ji.

The research investigated the practical operation of child support arrangements within family justice.

Its qualitative findings and legal analysis provided evidence relevant to policy discussion and potential improvement of judicial procedures and safeguards for children's rights.

This represents a direct example of NTHU providing commissioned empirical research to support governmental institutional review.

5.4 Anti-discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and State Compensation Procedures

Professor Lin has also participated in public-sector committees dealing with anti-discrimination, sexual harassment complaints, and state compensation claims.

Her appointments have included the Ministry of the Interior's discrimination complaints review mechanism, the Ministry of Justice's Hsinchu Branch sexual harassment investigation panel, and the National Immigration Agency's State Compensation Claims Processing Committee.

These responsibilities involved professional deliberation and, where applicable, recommendations regarding procedural safeguards and institutional improvement.

Individual case reviews are distinguished from formal policy development; the relevant contributions concern institutional and procedural recommendations arising from these roles.

Relevant SDGs: 3, 5, 10, and 16.

6. International NGO Partnerships and Governance Policy Research

6.1 DarkSky International and Light Pollution Governance

NTHU's College of Education has engaged in research and exchange with DarkSky International concerning light pollution prevention and community-based environmental governance.

The research team visited Arizona, United States, and examined international dark sky conservation approaches, community lighting guidelines, environmental education, and local management arrangements.

The project compares established approaches to dark sky conservation with social and cultural conditions in East Asia, where extensive nighttime lighting may be associated with public safety and urban development.

This comparative research seeks to identify governance approaches that can be adapted to different community needs and regional conditions.

According to the college's submission, the project has also addressed localized management strategies and demonstration-site development.

However, completed implementation, measured outcomes, and adoption by governmental authorities require supporting project documentation.

6.2 International Law Association's AI and Technology Law Committee

In 2025, Professor Ching-Fu Lin became a founding member of the International Law Association's Artificial Intelligence and Technology Law Committee.

He also took a leading role in its Sub-Committee on Accountability and Cross-Border Governance.

The committee investigates legal and policy challenges involving artificial intelligence, including human rights, equitable access to technology, discrimination, accountability, and international governance.

The initiative brings together experts from different jurisdictions to examine principles and possible legal approaches for responsible AI governance.

Professor Lin also served as Co-Chair of the International Law and Technology Interest Group of the American Society of International Law from 2024 to April 2026.

These engagements contribute to international policy-oriented legal research and professional cooperation, without implying that the resulting recommendations have been enacted by national governments.

6.3 Constitutions for Peace: Constitutional Governance and Social Reconstruction

Associate Professor Yi-Li Lee participated in the international research project "Constitutions for Peace: The Role of Constitutional Changes in Promoting Coexistence and Social Reconstruction in Societies in Transition."

The project was jointly organized by the International Catalan Institute for Peace (ICIP), a Spanish NGO, and the Faculty of Law at the University of Barcelona.

Through comparative research involving scholars from different countries, the project examined how constitutional institutions may contribute to peaceful coexistence, democratic governance, and social reconstruction in societies experiencing conflict or political transition.

Researchers considered institutional challenges and developed comparative perspectives and recommendations concerning constitutional reform, social inclusion, and peacebuilding.

In June 2026, participating researchers further developed their findings and submitted a collaborative manuscript to the International Journal of Transitional Justice.

The project demonstrates NTHU's involvement in international NGO-supported policy and institutional research relevant to SDG 16.

Its findings provide comparative research and policy recommendations; formal adoption by individual governments has not been established.

Relevant SDGs: 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17.

7. Key Dimensions of NTHU's Contribution to SDG Policy

7.1 Identifying Problems through Research Evidence

NTHU researchers use environmental monitoring, qualitative research, legal analysis, and empirical evaluation to identify sustainability challenges requiring governmental or NGO attention.

7.2 Supporting Policy and Institutional Development

Through government consultations, advisory committee membership, commissioned studies, and international institutional research, NTHU contributes expertise and recommendations for policy development.

7.3 Encouraging Monitoring and Adaptive Management

Research on watershed management and educational interventions emphasizes the importance of monitoring outcomes, reviewing evidence, and considering adjustments to existing practices.

7.4 Connecting Local Needs with International Knowledge

Partnerships with local environmental NGOs and international professional organizations enable NTHU to integrate community experience with comparative governance research and international legal perspectives.

8. Continuing Commitment

NTHU will continue strengthening research-based cooperation with governmental agencies, NGOs, and international institutions to address sustainability challenges.

Future priorities include environmental monitoring, watershed management, climate governance, educational equity, human rights protection, and responsible technological development.

Through policy consultation, research partnerships, institutional analysis, and outcome monitoring, the university seeks to provide evidence-informed recommendations supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

NTHU will also continue distinguishing between recommendations submitted for consideration, policies under review, and governmental measures that have been formally adopted, ensuring transparency in reporting its policy contributions.