Taiwan’s achievements in energy conservation and carbon
reduction
In 2010, the Executive Yuan adopted the National Energy Conservation
and Carbon Reduction Master Program to formulate countermeasures that best
serve Taiwan’s overall national development. Taiwan reduced its CO2
emissions by 7.26 million metric tons in 2010. Other important achievements
in energy conservation and carbon reduction include:
1. Building a better legal framework: Based on the Renewable Energy
Development Law implemented in 2009, 13 new laws have been
promulgated. Taiwan is also continuing to push ahead with legislation
for the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Bill and the GHG
Inventory Registry Platform. The 316 companies that had registered
through the platform as of 2010 accounted for 81% of GHG emissions
from the industrial and energy sectors, which is a representative
sample.
2. Developing green energy: Solar photovoltaic capacity has increased
by more than 3,275kW, while wind power capacity has grown by
around 70 MW. People in Taiwan are also being encouraged to use
solar water heaters, and 136,000 square meters of solar thermal
collectors have been added.
3. Fostering a low-carbon society: The Taiwan Product Carbon
Footprint Information Network was launched and eight companies
have successfully applied for carbon footprint labels for their products.
An LED streetlamp system has been put in place and traditional traffic
lights replaced with LED lighting.
1
4. Establishing a low-carbon industrial structure: Energy saving
technology has been made available to industrial groups and major
energy consumers. Specialist technicians have provided energy saving
advice to manufacturers. Commercial groups have been encouraged to
set targets for voluntary energy saving. Guidance and assistance has
been provided for research and development for such low-carbon
industries as LED lighting, next-generation electricity storage units
and systems (including large dynamic lithium batteries and smart
electricity storage units), biomass materials, portable electrical energy
materials, and the development and application of thermoelectric
modules. The R&D budget is around NT$3 billion.
5. Constructing a green transport network: Taiwan has introduced
energy efficiency labeling for auto sales, and subsidies as an incentive
to buy low-pollution cars. Old buses have been replaced.
6. Green building and forestry: Taiwan continues to promote the Green
Building Label and has reforested 5,537 hectares that will absorb an
estimated 82,500 metric tons of CO2 every year.
7. Implementing climate change adaptation policies: Representatives
from government agencies, academia, NGOs and the industrial sector
were invited to form a taskforce for planning and promoting a climate
change adaptation policy framework and action plan. The taskforce
completed a draft of Taiwan’s Climate Change Adaptation Policy
Framework, which aims to improve the nation’s capacity for climate
change adaptation, reduce society’s vulnerability and establish an
integrated mechanism nationally.
2