In addition, the Executive Yuan stated that it would be establishing an organization under the Environmental Protection Administration to monitor emission levels starting January 2008, EPA Deputy Minister Chang Feng-teng announced in the same report.
According to National Science Council Deputy Minister Wu Tsung-tsong, Taiwan produced 221 million tons of CO2 in 2000 and 276 million tons in 2005, with the potential to rise to 561 million tons by 2025.
Lee called on the government to put its plan into action as soon as possible, consider the problem of environmentally unfriendly industries, and assess the viability of nuclear power in Taiwan. "The goal of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by such a large margin will be difficult to achieve, but it is our responsibility for future generations," he said.
Lee's comments came after a Dec 7. meeting that involved Vice Premier Chiou I-jen, the STAG, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the NSC, which aimed to tackle the growing severity of the problem.
The EPA supported the government's directive, and stated that it would continue working on a draft law designed to curb greenhouse-gas emissions that it sent to the Legislature, said Hsiao Hui-chuan, director-general of the Department of Air Quality Protection and Noise Control under the EPA. However, Hsiao added, it was the MOEA's responsibility to think of incentives to ensure that companies follow the proposed regulation, especially as the policy is expected to have a dramatic effect on the steel, cement and petro-chemical industries, including such giants as Formosa Plastics Group, the UDN reported.
The EPA's original draft law failed to pass the third reading in the Legislature before Dec. 21, the day when the lawmaking body ended its current session. The draft stipulated that the average level of emissions between 2025 and 2030 should return to 2005's level of 250 million tons. "Despite this 'detour,' the EPA is determined to move forward in its anti-global-warming efforts," said Lin Yu-kai, a section chief of the EPA's public-relations office. He further promised, "In the meantime, the EPA will lay the groundwork, such as evaluating and registering greenhouse-gas emissions of every business around Taiwan."
Environmental groups urged the Legislature to make the law a priority in the next session and ensure its passage within two years. Taiwan should also aim to see zero growth in CO2 emissions over the next decade, pointed out Liou Ming-lone, chairman of the Environmental Quality Protection Foundation.
Local governments are already involved in worldwide anti-global-warming efforts, participating in the signing of the Climate Protection Agreement Dec. 12 by such international organizations as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, and United Cities and Local Governments. The agreement aims for 2050 greenhouse-gas emissions to be reduced by 60 percent compared to 1990 levels. ICLEI members Taipei and Kaohsiung, along with Taichung, a member of UCLG, will follow any initiatives made by other advanced cities in their attempts to address the issue of global warming.
Write to Amber Wu at amber0207@mail.gio.gov.tw