TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will forge ahead with its carbon pricing strategy regardless of shifting American climate policies, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) declared Monday (April 14). The island nation remains committed to its environmental roadmap even as U.S. climate initiatives face uncertainty, with Peng stressing that Taiwan's approach is designed to minimize "green inflation" while imposing only modest burdens on industrial sectors.
Under regulations established by the Ministry of Environment (MOE, 環境部), Taiwan's environmental protection agency, major emitters in the power, gas, and manufacturing sectors exceeding 25,000 metric tons of annual greenhouse gases face a carbon fee of NT$300 (US$9.24) per ton. Minister Peng illustrated the policy's measured approach by highlighting China Steel Corporation (CSC, 中鋼), which despite being classified as a high carbon leakage risk business with revenues of NT$360 billion (about US$11.08 billion) last year, would pay only NT$360 million (roughly US$11.08 million) at a reduced rate of NT$100 per ton.
To illustrate the policy's flexibility for smaller enterprises, Peng referenced an unnamed fastener manufacturer that would incur fees of merely NT$180,000 (approximately US$5,542) after just crossing the regulatory threshold. The minister pointed out that modest energy efficiency improvements could potentially exempt such borderline cases entirely from carbon payments. Net-zero policy can only be carried out with business survival, Peng stated, reaffirming the government's commitment to balancing environmental goals with economic vitality.
The minister reframed current trade tensions as a catalyst for environmental innovation rather than an obstacle. Taiwan's critical technology sector would remain largely insulated from carbon pricing impacts, according to Peng, though he acknowledged the export-dependent economy must remain vigilant about international climate policy developments. The ministry has scheduled industry consultation forums while simultaneously preparing a budget request to the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, to develop environmental expertise, with Peng cautioning that fiscal constraints could potentially hamper the island's decarbonization agenda. ★