TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The head of the Academia Sinica (中央研究院) emphasized on Monday (Nov. 11) the challenges Taiwan faces in achieving the 2050 net-zero carbon target. He underscored the necessity of utilizing all available technologies, including nuclear power.
Academia Sinica President James C. Liao (廖俊智), attended a session of the Education and Culture Committee in the Legislative Yuan (立法院教育及文化委員會) for questioning, where he discussed the 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislators Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷), Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), and Wan Mei-ling (萬美玲) raised concerns about Taiwan's ability to meet its 2050 net-zero carbon goal without nuclear energy. They also questioned the potential impact of Donald Trump's re-entry into office on the Paris Agreement.
Liao stressed the need for seismic research to understand the risks associated with nuclear power. Liao acknowledged that a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could affect the 2050 target.
Liao further addressed the ongoing debate over expanding the gas unit at Taichung Power Plant (臺中火力發電廠). He noted that gas emissions are approximately half that of coal, highlighting the importance of this transition in reducing carbon output.