面對新千禧年開展之際，保護全球環聲的工作愈復緊要。過去三十年來，國際法對此問題之回應是制訂諸般修約、協定或者不具拘束力的國際文件，處理了一些特定的環境問題，例如海洋、大氣、臭氧層、氣候變遷與自然資保育等等。儘管我們對這些議題並不陌生，遺憾的是，臺灣因其特殊的國際地位而通常被排除在這些環境協約之制訂以外。臺灣加入這些多邊環境協定(簡稱MEAs)的主要障礙乃聯合國認定臺灣屬於所謂中國之一部分，因而無法參加一般要求會員資格須為國家之多邊環境協定。臺灣雖不具備MEAs之會員身分，並非意謂著全然不受這些環境協定拘束。本文不在討論臺灣國際法律地位的一般法律問題，而是試圖為臺灣在關於環境事務之國際法律體系中定位。研析究竟哪些義務，不論源自條約法習慣法，仍加諸於我國，是相當重要的議題。末了，本文將檢視臺灣加入全球環境體系之前景，相信只我們持續努力參與國際社會，臺灣目前的地位將能獲得改善。

　　　　　Faced with a new millennium, the tasks to preserve our global environment have become increasingly important and urgent. Since the last three decades, international law has already responded to such problem by concluding a number of treaties, agreements, and other non-binding documents, dealing with many distinct environmental areas, such as ocean, atmosphere, ozone layer, climate change, and natural resources. Although we are familiar with the issue, regrettably, Taiwan is generally excluded from participating in the formulation of those environmental mandates due to our unique international status. The main obstacle for the country to accede to multialteral environmental agreements (MEAs) lies in the position held by the United Nations that Taiwan is treated as part of China, and thus the former is ineligible to join MEAs that largely require Statehood for membership. The non-membership of Taiwan in MEAs does not necessarily mean that Taiwan could be always free from the binding of those environmental requirements. Instead of addressing the general issue of the international legal status of Taiwan, this article seeks to locate the position of Taiwan in the framework of the international legal system regarding environmental affairs. It is essential to explore that sorts of obligations, whether originating from treaty law or customary law, are still imposed upon our country. Finally, the article examines the future prospect of Taiwan's integration into the world environmental system. It is believed that Taiwan's current status is likely to be improved so long as our endeavor to join the international community persists.