The Tropic of Cancer Sustainability Belt


Sustainability is a global trend, and a global lingua franca. How can Taiwan use sustainability to tell our story on an international stage? How can Taiwan create a sustainability brand that is equipped with a global perspective? The National Park Service (NPS) considers the Tropic of Cancer a great place to start. By connecting the dots of Taiwan’s mountain resources, ocean resources, and sustainability partners into a line, and then making that line into a belt, we can turn the Tropic of Cancer – which many think of as just a bunch of geographic markers – into a whole new window for getting to know Taiwan.

As the 180km north-south Tropic of Cancer Belt crosses Taiwan, it crosses coasts, wetlands, foothills, high mountains, oceans, cities, and villages. Along the way, it encompasses every form of ecology, life, and production, forming world-class environmental marvels. The NPS is using the Tropic of Cancer Sustainability Belt project to put forward specific, mid- to long-term actions we can take to pursue goals such as Conservation in Use; Multiculturalism; Education for All; Sustainable Tourism; and Physical and Mental Wellness.

Of course, a project with such a grand scope needs a lot of partners to make it happen. The NPS is using platforms for public-private dialogue to attract corporate resources. By promoting industry-academia relay partnerships and diverse social participation models, we can work together to initiate development that balances conservation, use, and sustainability.

This issue’s cover stories use key terms and explanations to explore the thinking and goals behind the Tropic of Cancer Sustainability Belt project. In addition, we have invited the Ocean Conservation Administration, the Ministry of Culture, the Culture & Tourism Bureau of Chiayi County, and Deloitte Taiwan to introduce, in turn, the concepts of Conservation in Use, Multiculturalism, Sustainable Tourism, and Corporate ESG. Together, we share our accomplishments and what our next goals as project partners are.