Taiwan's greenhouse gas reduction targets[1] are jointly undertaken by six major sectors: energy, manufacturing, transportation, housing and commerce, agriculture, and environment[2]. This year marks the final year of implementation for the first phase (2016-2020) of the control targets, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 2% compared to the base year (2005). The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has indicated that the second phase (2021-2025) will intensify carbon reduction efforts, with a target of a 10% reduction.
The EPA stated that the dialogue platform uses visual and interactive charts to illustrate the current greenhouse gas emission structure and implementation status of the action plans of the six major departments. The platform also compiles information such as the greenhouse gas emissions of various countries, nationally determined contributions [3], and Taiwan's carbon reduction performance compared to neighboring Asian countries, as well as relevant website links, hoping to help all sectors further understand the greenhouse gas management status of Taiwan and other countries in the world.
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) stated that the draft second phase of control targets is expected to be submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval in the second half of the year. The Executive Yuan's Energy and Carbon Reduction Office also convened an expert advisory group in April, inviting representatives from the six major government departments to hold an expert meeting on departmental carbon reduction targets. The EPA stated that the opinions collected will provide relevant ministries with reference for incorporating specific action strategies into the next phase. Public hearings will also be held in the second half of this year, welcoming suggestions from all sectors regarding departmental carbon reduction pathways and implementation strategies to ensure that reduction policies better meet the expectations of the public.
Notes
1. Greenhouse gases refer to carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
2. The central competent authorities for the six major sectors of energy, manufacturing, transportation, housing and commerce, agriculture and environment are the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Ministry of the Interior, the Council of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Administration, respectively.
3. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): In accordance with the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to below 2°C, countries propose greenhouse gas reduction targets based on their own capabilities and national circumstances. China's NDC reduction target is a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 based on current trend estimates (BAU), and a further 20% reduction in emissions from the base year (2005).
Source: Environmental Information Centre
