Taiwan commits to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in law

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Wednesday announced the passage the Climate Change Response Act, codifying the nation’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The act passed its third reading in January and aims to establish a more well-rounded coping mechanisms in response to climate change while minimising and monitoring the emission of greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Administration explained that the severity of global climate change and increasing international urgency to minimise carbon emissions have led to this amendment. The administration stressed Taiwan’s responsibility to push forth a net-zero future and enhance the competitiveness of industries under this circumstance.

The amendment include setting a higher bar to reduce emissions, focusing on establishing responsibilities of different stakeholders across different sectors and introducing incentives and deterrents in minimising emissions. It also includes an enhancement on the level of governance by giving the National Council for Sustainable Development of the Executive Yuan authority to “coordinate, assign and integrate the fundamental principles on the nation’s response to climate change.” The regulations focus on making central competent authorities responsible for the integration of the action plans across different sectors to achieve a reduction in emissions.

The law’s climate change adaptation chapter will help Taiwan build a more responsible network and ensure that stakeholders share the responsibility of reducing emissions. The chapter also emphasizes the role of local governments; governments of all levels are expected to establish their own respective adaptation plans in order to localise the adaptation strategies.

The new regulations also introduce the reinforcement of emission control and incentive mechanisms to facilities reduction and impose carbon levies for designated uses, including extending producer responsibility to provide low carbon consumption choices for consumers.