Although the ROC government was not party to negotiations and is yet to participate in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, it stands ready, willing and able to play its part in reducing global warming. As a responsible member of the international community, the ROC has taken aggressive steps to slash the nation’s emissions. It is committed to the goals of reducing greenhouse gases to 2005 levels by 2020 and to 2000 levels by 2025, as well as cutting energy intensity—a key factor in slowing resource depletion and building a sustainable energy future.
The government is also working to usher in a new era of green living for Taiwan. In 2010 it promised, as per the previous year’s UNFCCC Copenhagen Accord, to slash daily emissions by 30 percent. This is a sharper reduction than those pledged by other countries.
In addition, the government has drafted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Energy Tax acts, which combined with existing legislation such as the Renewable Energy Development Act, serve as an effective regulatory foundation for boosting energy efficiency and renewable energy capacity, as well as creating new employment opportunities based on green products and services. Such an undertaking is expected to also spark a nationwide industry transformation.
A prime example of this approach is the recently signed agreements between the public and the private sector entities for the installation of offshore turbines along Taiwan’s western coastline. The initiative, which significantly boosts national wind power generating capacity, will promote investment estimated at between NT$15 billion (US$508.47 million) and NT$22.5 billion, as well as create over 9,500 jobs.
Another is the government’s support for the ongoing development of solar panel roofs, wind turbines, geothermal power facilities and other new energy sources. These will take on an even more significant role after nuclear power is phased out in Taiwan.
Other public initiatives include the promotion of light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting and solar electricity; changes in garbage collection practices beginning more than a decade ago that have resulted in a household recycling rate of more than 40 percent; and more recently, subsidies for the development and use of electric vehicles.
These efforts have begun to show encouraging results. Statistics from the Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that Taiwan’s 248.7 million-metric-ton emissions in 2012 represented a drop of 1.9 percent from the previous year, moving the country closer to the 2005 emission level of 245.2 million metric tons. In contrast with the 2.4 times increase of emissions from 1990 to 2007, the past five years saw decreases in emissions.
But the government could achieve even more in combating climate change if Taiwan had more comprehensive participation in the Conference of the Parties (COP19) and UNFCCC. All countries are standing on common ground, seeking a sustainable prosperous future for the whole human race, and Taiwan wants to do its best to play its part in the global village. To date, delegates from Taiwan have gained only limited access to COP events. The nation has been represented each year by nongovernmental organizations. By directly participating in relevant negotiations and processes, Taiwan could better share its experiences and learn from those of others.
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