TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) announced on Monday (Sept. 30) that future air pollution reduction efforts will align with net-zero emission goals to achieve mutual benefits.
Peng made this statement during the Ministry of Environment's (MOENV, 環境部) "2024 Autumn and Winter Air Quality Response Meeting" (2024年度秋冬季節空品不良應變啟動會議) which gathered local environmental protection units.
Peng emphasized that achieving net-zero emissions will also improve air quality. He noted that while the past approach directly reduced air pollutants and assessed air quality improvements, the future strategy will integrate net-zero pathways with population control and pollution prevention measures.
Peng reiterated that the government will start collecting carbon fees in January 2025, requiring carbon fee payers to submit voluntary reduction plans. He explained that climate change, net-zero policies, health benefits, and air quality are independent yet closely related factors, and the future will see a tighter connection between net-zero and air pollution improvement.
Peng also mentioned that the international carbon reduction targets for 2035 are still being discussed. He estimated that new calculation results would be available in about two months.