I Research Objectives In recent years, the developed nations of the world have come to attach considerable importance to promoting the development of their “green industries”, and Taiwan is no exception. In fact, the promotion of green industries in Taiwan has been underway for many years, with various government agencies – including the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Environmental Protection Administration – formulating development plans that target this area. The government’s Challenge 2008 National Development Plan includes the green industries within the Industrial Value Heightening Plan. As countries all over the world begin to emphasize their importance, the green industries are set to establish themselves as “star industries” of the 21st century. However, it is difficult to say with precision just what the term “green industries” means; the literature on this subject does not provide an objective, uniform, standardized definition. Looking at the various environmental protection related industries whose growth has been promoted in the advanced nations – such as recycling, reusable energy, “green building” construction and environmentally-friendly engineering methods – it is apparent that examples of successful development can be found in all of these industries. Studying other countries’ experience with the promotion of green industries and the policy formulation environment that has taken shape in these countries should offer lessons to Taiwan in its development of green industries. As regards green industry promotion in Taiwan, a division of labor has been implemented between various government agencies (including the Environmental Protection Administration, the Industrial Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and the Energy Commission) in accordance with the unique characteristics of the individual industries and the anticipated development objectives. A large number of development plans ha
