TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) announced on Friday (Jan. 10) that the government will detail new national carbon reduction targets for 2030, 2032, and 2035 at the National Climate Change Committee (國家氣候變遷委員會) meeting on Jan. 23. Cheng emphasized the government's commitment to carbon reduction during the "Net-Zero Team Taiwan! Towards 2035" forum, aiming to align with global efforts for a net-zero transition by 2050.
Vice Premier Cheng, who also serves as the deputy convener of the National Climate Change Committee, highlighted President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) directive to review the existing 2030 carbon reduction goal and propose new targets for 2035, alongside a 2032 target. She added that the government will drive the transition through five pillars: technological innovation, financial support, carbon pricing, regulatory adjustments, and cultivating green talent.
Cheng noted that the project team evaluates the reduction benefits of action plans. The Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部) announced that the 2030 target aims for a 28% reduction from the baseline year, plus or minus 2 percentage points, and a power emission factor target of 0.319, a 35% decrease from the original goal. The MOENV plans to hold public hearings in February to refine the plan based on collected opinions.
In the energy sector, efforts include accelerating renewable energy development, promoting solar power, and exploring geothermal energy. Cheng mentioned that the transportation sector will focus on electrifying commercial vehicles and developing sustainable aviation fuel, while the residential and commercial sectors aim for net-zero buildings.