Taipei: Taiwan's government has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 26 to 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, indicating the nation's commitment to net zero. Speaking at the Presidential Office's climate change committee meeting, President Lai Ching-te announced the government's updated carbon reduction targets, emphasizing the need for more substantial efforts to combat climate change.
According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai highlighted the revised targets, which exceed the previous goal of a 23 to 25 percent reduction. These new objectives require Taiwan's carbon emissions to decrease to between 198.98 MtCO2e and 188.23 MtCO2e by 2030. The president also outlined future goals, aiming for a reduction of 30 to 34 percent by 2032 and 36 to 40 percent by 2035. He stressed that these targets were developed after careful consideration and planning by the government, urging the public to take active steps in supporting the global net-zero movement.
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming noted that although Taiwan emitted 264.133 MtCO2e of carbon in 2022, a decrease of only 1.77 percent, he remains optimistic about achieving significant progress by 2025 with the implementation of new measures. Peng estimated that the reduction could approach 10 percent by 2025.
Kao Shien-quey, deputy head of the National Development Council, mentioned plans to make solar panel installation mandatory for new property developments as part of the government's strategy to meet the new carbon reduction targets. This measure aims to boost the use of alternative energy sources and decrease dependence on fossil fuel-generated electricity. Additionally, the government will encourage the top 500 emitters in the manufacturing sector to adopt carbon reduction strategies and support approximately 140,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in improving energy efficiency.
The climate change committee, serving as an advisory body to the executive branch, is one of three committees established under the Presidential Office, alongside the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee and the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee.