TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Environmental activists pressed Taiwan's government Tuesday (Sept. 9) to dramatically increase carbon reduction targets as officials unveiled net-zero emission plans for 2050. The Ministry of Environment (環境部) convened a public forum discussing Taiwan's 2035 carbon goals and draft Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0 (NDC 3.0) framework. The Taiwan Climate Action Network Research Center (台灣氣候行動網絡研究中心) demanded raising the 2035 reduction target to 52 percent, exceeding current government proposals.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced earlier this year Taiwan's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 32 percent, plus or minus 2 percent, by 2032 compared with 2005 levels, escalating to 38 percent by 2035. Director Chia-Wei Chao (趙家緯) of the Taiwan Climate Action Network Research Center characterized NDC 3.0 as a transformative blueprint for the coming decade. Chao identified three critical international shortcomings: inadequate 2035 targets misaligned with 2050 net-zero goals, absent sector-specific reduction plans for industry and energy, and insufficient governance frameworks.
Chao condemned current carbon pricing strategies through 2035 and criticized inadequate fossil fuel subsidy elimination efforts. He demanded comprehensive policy reviews addressing contradictory measures, particularly expanded fossil fuel production investments that undermine reduction objectives. Yu-ping Chen (陳郁屏), secretary-general of the Taiwan Environmental & Planning Association (台灣環境規劃協會), acknowledged solar photovoltaics' renewable energy significance while emphasizing improved spatial planning tool requirements for effective implementation.
Environmental Rights Protection Foundation (環境權保障基金會) researcher Tang Lin-hsiang (湯琳翔) highlighted Singapore's ambitious carbon tax escalation from SG$25 per ton to SG$45 (around NT$1,065 or US$35) by 2026, ultimately reaching SG$80 by 2030. Taiwan's current carbon fee stands at NT$300 (around US$10) with various discount structures, demonstrating significantly lower commitment levels. Tang urged raising minimum base prices and establishing upward pricing trends to accelerate net-zero progress effectively. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.3)