Taiwan Debuts First-Ever National Pavilion at ChangeNOW 2026, Led by Impact Hub Taipei At the world’s largest sustainability expo in Paris, Taiwan showcases ocean innovation to global sustainability ecosystem
- Impact Hub Taipei
- Team
Taiwan debuted its first-ever national pavilion at ChangeNOW 2026, the world’s largest sustainability innovation expo, which opened today in Paris.
The event brings together participants from 140 countries, with more than 40,000 attendees, 1,000 showcased solutions, and 1,200 international investors, positioning it as a key global platform for climate and sustainability innovation.
Branded as the “World Expo of Solutions for the Planet,” ChangeNOW 2026 reflects a growing global shift toward scaling practical and investable climate solutions. Opening ceremony speakers included H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu, and climate scientist Johan Rockström.
The Taiwan Pavilion was established at the invitation of the organizers, marking the first time an Asian national pavilion has been featured at ChangeNOW.
Taiwan is participating in ChangeNOW for the first time in the event’s nine-year history. Led by Impact Hub Taipei, the delegation established the “Taiwan House” National Pavilion with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ocean Conservation Administration, Ocean Affairs Council, and the Taipei City Government.
Taiwan is one of only three national pavilions at this year’s event, alongside the Netherlands and Ukraine, underscoring increasing international recognition of Taiwan’s role in sustainability and social innovation.
The Taiwan Pavilion focuses on ocean solutions, aligning with the European Union’s 2030 ocean and water restoration targets. The initiative aims to connect Taiwan’s climate innovations with international policy frameworks and emerging global markets.
Three representative teams are presenting:
- Azure Alliance showcases the “Azure Fighter,” an electric vessel designed to efficiently collect marine debris in harbor environments.
- Wonder Greener, a certified B Corp, presents natural straws and its “Naturally-Made Shelter” solution protecting coral from bleaching, and will pitch on the Biodiversity Stage.
- RE-THINK introduces the “Guidebook of Marine Debris” and “Recycling Index” aimed at influencing public changing habits through data and design.
The pavilion opening was attended by Ambassador Hao Pei-Chih, Taiwan’s Representative to France; French National Assembly members Éric Martineau and Éric Bothorel; and ChangeNOW founder and CEO Santiago Lefebvre.
Ambassador Hao said Taiwan’s participation reflects how its sustainability solutions are scaling from local implementation to the global stage and highlights opportunities to deepen collaboration with France and European partners in social innovation and climate action.
She added that while Taiwan may not be formally represented in all international organizations, it continues to actively contribute to global challenges.
ChangeNow台灣館參展團隊合影：（前排左起）玩艸植造執行長陳柏燊、臺灣湛藍海洋聯盟執行長陳思穎、未來大人物主編陳淑玲、RE-THINK 專案經理蔡昇諺、臺灣湛藍海洋聯盟營運長曾鈺婷、Impact Hub Taipei 營運長張士庭、（後排左起）玩艸植造營運長高德宇、Impact Hub Taipei 執行長陳昱築、玩艸植造永續長洪誠孝、RE-THINK 執行長黃之揚、駐法大使郝培芝、ChangeNow 創辦人暨執行長 Santiago Lefebvre、臺北市政府副市長李泰興、法國國民議會議員 Éric Bothorel
Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Tai-Hsin said Taipei is the first city in Taiwan to legislate its 2050 net-zero target and continues to serve as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He added that the city aims to showcase its sustainability capabilities globally and attract international talent through its upcoming startup flagship hub – INNOPAD.
Chen Yu-chu, Co-Founder and CEO of Impact Hub Taipei, said that while Taiwan has strong research and development capabilities, its sustainability startups often face challenges in accessing international policy platforms and cross-border capital.
He noted that evolving European regulations, including the European Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are raising global expectations for transparency, accountability, and scalability in sustainability solutions.
Participation in ChangeNOW, he said, provides Taiwanese teams with a strategic opportunity to engage directly with global networks, policymakers, and investors, and to demonstrate both measurable impact and commercial viability.
Chen added that the initiative represents a broader effort to position Taiwan as an impact ecosystem builder, strengthening its connection to international markets, regulatory frameworks, and capital networks.
He expressed hope that Taiwan’s presence at ChangeNOW will create a “lighthouse effect,” encouraging greater investment in sustainability innovation and reinforcing Taiwan’s role as a competitive player in the global sustainability landscape.
Impact Hub Taipei
Impact Hub Taipei is part of the global Impact Hub network – one of the world’s largest communities focused on entrepreneurship and innovation for good. Since 2015, Impact Hub Taipei has worked to connect entrepreneurs, corporations, government institutions, and civil society to develop solutions addressing complex social and environmental challenges.
Media Contact
Oliver Chang / Impact Hub Taipei
+886-933-461-220
Azure Alliance
Azure Alliance is an organization dedicated to solving marine debris and plastic pollution through innovative technology in Taiwan. The organization leverages USV (AZURE FIGHTER), environmental monitoring, education, and cross-sector collaboration to address ocean pollution challenges.
Wonder Greener
Wonder Greener reduces ocean plastic pollution and helps reverse coral bleaching through regenerative materials and supply chains for global F&B brands. Its solutions turn everyday consumption into measurable impact, like lepironia straws and lepironia restoration mats.
RE-THINK
RE-THINK is a leading environmental organization focused on reducing waste and tackling marine pollution through public engagement and data-driven action.
Taiwan House
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