Dec 28 2009
Taiwan’s EPA Minister, Stephen Shu-hung Shen, said that the country is promoting four energy laws as part of its efforts to protect the environment. The Minister stated this in an interview with CNN. The four energy laws are: Energy Management Law, Recycled Energy Development Regulations, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (draft) and Energy Tax Regulations (draft). Of the four energy laws, two laws, Recycled Energy Development Regulations and Amendment of Energy Management Law are being implemented from 2009, after being passed.
UN’s Kyoto Protocol has been adopted by 38 countries to control the greenhouse gas emission. Though Taiwan is not a signatory to Kyoto Protocol, the government has been promoting laws to demonstrate that the country is committed to protect the environment, said the EPA Minister.
After passing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act is passed, efforts will be taken by relevant agencies to push for the enactment of Energy Tax Regulation law. Various green goals such as renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and green business development can be attained only if these four energy laws are passed and implemented according to Shen. The important goal to reduce the overall greenhouse gas emission will also be reached.
Once the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act is passed, Minister Shen said that Taiwan will be the first developing country to enact such an energy law. The Taiwan government must initiative steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more stringently and assist various industries in the country to adopt methods to cut carbon emissions.
Taiwan is following a three-step greenhouse gas emission controlling strategy, according to Minister Shen. Implementation of compulsory inventory and reporting, adoption of emission trading system and efficiency standards, and promotion of Cap-and-Trade and emission offset trading scheme are the three steps adopted by the country.
Shen added that the government will establish a green industry service team to help the industry to resolve all problems in technology development, investment and operation.
Source: http://www.ey.gov.tw/