TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Environmental Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) on Tuesday (Dec. 24) warned of significant impacts from the "Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures" (財政收支劃分法) on the Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部), mainly affecting waste management and net-zero initiatives.
Peng highlighted that the ministry's budget, closely tied to local governments, might face cuts that could hinder these critical areas. He explained that funding for low-carbon sustainable communities may decrease, posing challenges for waste management and net-zero carbon emissions.
He noted that half of the ministry's budget is allocated to local needs, and a substantial budget cut could limit waste disposal capabilities, especially for inter-county coordination. Additionally, Peng emphasized the potential need for extra funding to meet net-zero goals.
Peng indicated that an updated 2030 carbon reduction target is set for release on Dec. 30, with the fiscal law's impact potentially introducing variables affecting various agencies and policy planning. On Monday, Minister Chen Shu-tzu (陳淑姿) from the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (主計總處) stated that defense funding, labor insurance fund allocations, central rent subsidies, and social housing projects could also face repercussions from the fiscal changes.