TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX) launched international carbon credit trading on Friday (Dec. 22), marking a significant step toward a zero-carbon future. The Ministry of Environment has confirmed its commitment to achieving the net-zero emissions goal, with plans to impose carbon fees on businesses by 2024.
As part of this initiative, the ministry has expanded the institutions responsible for conducting carbon audits for listed Taiwanese companies. Approximately 1,700 publicly traded firms in Taiwan will undergo carbon inspections within the next seven years, with the first taxes applied to those emitting 25,000 metric tons annually.
Despite sustainability efforts, the Climate Change Administration's voluntary review report revealed that three key greenhouse gas emission reduction goals were not met between 2020 and 2022, primarily due to labor shortages in carbon emissions inspection.
To expedite progress, Huang Wei-ming, deputy director-general of the Climate Change Administration, announced that the department has doubled the number of inspection agencies from seven to 14 over the past two years, aiming to accelerate progress toward achieving net-zero emissions.