{{Short description|Taiwanese politician and meteorologist (born 1970)}} {{Family name hatnote|Peng|lang=Taiwanese}}{{Infobox officeholder | name = Peng Chi-ming | native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hant|彭啓明}}}} | native_name_lang = zh-hant | image = 彭啟明執行秘書.png | caption = Peng in 2024 | office = 2nd Minister of Environment | term_start = 20 May 2024 | term_end = | prime_minister = Cho Jung-tai | deputy = | predecessor = Shieu Fuh-sheng | successor = | president1 = | deputy1 = | term_start1 = | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = | successor1 = | office2 = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | office3 = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1970|5|27}} | birth_place = Taoyuan, Taiwan | death_date = | death_place = | party = | education = National Central University (BS, MS, PhD) | module = {{Infobox scientist | child = yes | field = Atmospheric science | thesis_title = A study of stratiform clouds in northern Taiwan: Chemical and microphysical properties and their applications in regional air pollution and climate change | thesis_year = 1999 | thesis_url = https://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gs32/gsweb.cgi?o=dnclcdr&s=id=%22088NCU00021001%22.&searchmode=basic }} }}
'''Peng Chi-ming''' ({{zh|t=彭啓明|w=Peng2 Chi3-ming2}}; born 27 May 1970) is a Taiwanese meteorologist who is currently serving as Minister of Environment.
After earning his doctorate in atmospheric science from National Central University, he founded Taiwan's first weather service company in 2003 and is credited with drafting the country's first weather insurance policy.
== Early life and education == Peng was born in Guanyin, Taoyuan, to a Hakka Chinese family.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chen|first=Yu-hsin|title=環境部長彭啟明上任首日 公告施政目標|url= https://www.hakkatv.org.tw/news-detail/1716287510914561|work=HakkaTV|date=21 May 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> He moved around frequently due to his father's job. He graduated from Cheng Kung Senior High School in Taipei.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chung|first=Yu-neng|title= 客人誌／天仙雷雨師彭啟明 沒千里眼順風耳「只有硬頸傻勁」|url=https://hakkanews.tw/2022/12/31/insight-peng-chi-ming-has-no-calculated-risk-and-has-lost-his-way-in-the-future/|work=Hakka News|date=31 December 2022|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
From 1988 to 1999, Peng attended National Central University (NCU), earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), a Master of Science (M.S.), and a Ph.D., all in atmospheric science.<ref name="MOENV">{{cite web|title= Minister PENG CHI-MING|url=https://www.moenv.gov.tw/en/8BED143539464E96|work=Ministry of Environment|access-date=16 February 2025}}</ref> His doctoral dissertation was titled, "A study of stratiform clouds in northern Taiwan: Chemical and microphysical properties and their applications in regional air pollution and climate change" (北台灣冬季層狀雲之研究:化學與微物理特性及其在區域大氣污染與區域氣候變化之應用).<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Study of Stratiform Clouds in Northern Taiwan During Winter: Chemical and Microphysical Properties and Their Applications in Regional Air Pollution and Regional Climate Change |url=https://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gs32/gsweb.cgi?o=dnclcdr&s=id=%22088NCU00021001%22.&searchmode=basic |access-date=11 November 2025 |publisher=National Central Library |type=PhD Thesis}}</ref> In 2011, he was named an outstanding alumnus of NCU.<ref name="CNA">{{cite news|last=Chang|first=Hsiung-feng|title=氣象達人彭啟明掌環境部 碳費、四接議題將成挑戰|url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202404190085.aspx|work=Central News Agency|date=19 April 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
== Early career == In 2003, Peng founded the company WeatherRisk Explore and served as its general manager.<ref name="MOENV"/><ref name="CNA"/> The company was Taiwan's first weather company.<ref name="TT0424">{{cite news|title=Cho appoints five more ministers|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/04/20/2003816680|work=Taipei Times|date=20 April 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> Peng's work earned him the nickname, "Weatherman Supreme".<ref name="TaiwanToday">{{cite news|title= Weather watchers try to overcome nature|url= https://taiwantoday.tw/AMP/culture/top-news/24138/weather-watchers-try-to-overcome-nature|work=Taiwan Today|date=14 September 2007|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
Peng also advocated for weather insurance as a product, serving as weather advisor for Central Insurance (中央產物保險). He is credited with drafting Taiwan's first weather insurance policy,<ref name="Pano">{{cite news|last=Su|first=Lynn|title=Peng Chi-ming and the Practical Applications of Meteorology|url=https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=91a2ddf1-3aed-4ea0-b9f4-f7626126d476&CatId=9&postname=Peng%20Chi-ming%20and%20%20the%20Practical%20Applications%20%20of%20Meteorology&srsltid=AfmBOooxMwEt6i7MDAoR6TBrk5BeY4JM-mLxw-KV0DMezjSwMcn1FYVv|work=Taiwan Panorama|date=September 2018|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> which was approved by the Ministry of Finance in 2004.<ref name="CNA"/> The rainfall policy was written for whale watching tour operators in Yilan and was also later sold to Taiwan's professional baseball league for the grand final being held in Kaohsiung.<ref name="TaiwanToday"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Che-hsin|title= 人物／彭啟明首創天氣風險公司 深信淨零綠生活、以身作則不吃肉|url= https://www.nownews.com/news/6409026|work=NOWnews|date=19 April 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
In 2015, Peng worked with Australian company Weatherzone to create a lightning alert service provider Shandian. Instead of using the lightning detection system provided by Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau or Taipower, Shandian built its own technology with American company Earth Networks to provide faster data and redundancy.<ref name="Pano"/>
As general manager of WeatherRisk, Peng served in an expert capacity and attended international conferences such as World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as a civic observer. In 2019, after attending a WMO meeting in Geneva earlier in the week, Peng's accreditation was abruptly canceled, and he was blocked from joining the World Meteorological Congress, reportedly due to Chinese pressure.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lin|first=Chia-nan|title=Taiwanese meteorology experts blocked from Geneva summit at last minute|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2019/06/09/2003716588?fb_comment_id=2353145381398095_2354041461308487|work=Taipei Times|date=9 June 2019|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
Peng operated a popular Facebook page about weather forecasts.<ref name="TT0424"/> Prior to his appointment as Minister of Environment in 2024, Peng had attended 11 United Nations Climate Change Conferences as an observer.<ref name="WJ2024">{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Po-hao|title=接任環境部長 彭啟明：政治路不好走 願意承擔挑戰|url=https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121218/7909406|work=World Journal|date=18 April 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
== Minister of Environment == In 2024, Peng was invited by premier Cho Jung-tai to serve as the Minister of Environment, succeeding Shieu Fuh-sheng.<ref name="MOENV"/> Following the nomination, Peng announced that he would resign from his role as general manager of WeatherRisk as well as his teaching roles.<ref name="WJ2024"/>
Under Peng's leadership at the Ministry of Environment, Taiwan sought to position itself as an important part of global climate governance. In a statement, Peng outlined plans to adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes a carbon pricing system and major development funds for green industries, including a NT$10 billion (US$308 million) Green Growth Fund.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yasin Gungor|first=Muhammed|title=Taiwan positioning itself as key player in global climate governance: Minister|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taiwan-positioning-itself-as-key-player-in-global-climate-governance-minister/3392293|work=Anadolu Ajansi|date=13 November 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
Peng announced the planned launch of Taiwan's cap and trade system over the next four years in October 2024, which would follow the Japanese model. The system would start with a pilot program for companies that already had a track record of decarbonization.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan cap, trade system to start with pilot program|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/09/21/2003824127|work=Taipei Times|date=21 September 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
Peng expressed regret over Taiwan's exclusion from COP29, stating it is the world's loss. The ministry set up a "war room" to observe the climate summit via live streams.<ref>{{cite news|last=Blanchard|first=Ben|title=MOENV sets up 'war room' to observe climate summit|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/11/10/2003826668|work=Taipei Times|date=10 November 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> Despite not being able to participate in the conference, Taiwan committed to a more stringent carbon cutting target for 2030, after a law was passed committing the Taiwanese government to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chau|first1=Thompson|last2=Li|first2=Lauly|last3=Cheng|first3=Ting-fang|title=Taiwan to adopt tough new carbon cutting targets, environment czar says|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Taiwan-to-adopt-tough-new-carbon-cutting-targets-environment-czar-says|work=Nikkei Asia|date=16 October 2024|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
In February 2025, Peng stated in a Reuters interview that the government was aiming to get over US$1.5 billion from insurance funds to help finance green energy projects. He said that Taiwan faced "worse heat waves, stronger typhoons and more intense droughts," which would require the government to confront climate change.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tung|first=Roger|title=Taiwan environment minister eyes insurance funds to help with green transition|url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/taiwan-environment-minister-eyes-insurance-funds-help-with-green-transition-2025-02-12/|work=Reuters|date=12 February 2025|access-date=16 February 2025}}</ref>
== Personal life == Peng is a vegetarian and advocates using plant-based diets as a way to mitigate global warming.<ref name="MOENV"/>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peng, Chi-ming}} Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:Ministers of environment of Taiwan Category:National Central University alumni Category:Taiwanese meteorologists Category:Taiwanese politicians of Hakka descent