Suggestion 1: Promote decarbonization technologies to help achieve Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal.

The SDG Committee joins the Energy Committee in calling attention to the crucial challenge for Taiwan of meeting its stated goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Although Taiwan has been excluded from many international agreements, the decarbonization effort is important to demonstrating its commitment to being a good international citizen, as well as to ensure that Taiwanese products continue to be welcomed in foreign markets as other governments implement stricter regulations to safeguard the environment.

Various decarbonization technologies are available that could help Taiwan to meet the 2050 net-zero emissions target while ensuring reliable and competitively priced energy. These include carbon capture and storage and the use of renewable hydrogen and low-emission fuels. Taiwan must ensure that it has that it has put a supportive policy and regulatory/legal framework in place so that these technologies can compete on a level playing field. In addition, incentives should be increased to help expand the scope and quicken the pace of existing programs to develop renewable energy resources. We agree with the Energy Committee that the authorities could facilitate this process by sponsoring regular opportunities for communication among all relevant stakeholders, including government, industry, scholars, and community representatives. The members of the new CCUS Alliance call for MOST and BOE to join its promising campaign and convert it from a private undertaking to a vigorous private- public partnership.

Suggestion 2: Incentivize industries to use recycled plastics.

Starting this year, the recycled plastic material rPET is expected to be used, manufactured, and sold as food containers through the risk assessment process of the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). Currently, nearly 50% of all plastic waste in Taiwan is recycled, of which 90% is sourced from food containers.

This plastic waste will now be turned into a useful resource for the circular economy. The increased utilization of rPET is also expected to reduce the manufacture and use of virgin plastic and accelerate the reduction of plastic waste. As the demand for plastics remains difficult to decrease, reducing carbon emissions in the production of plastics can help achieve the goal of carbon net-neutrality.

The Committee believes that providing appropriate incentives to those who use recycled plastics, such as providing carbon credits and deducting or waiving carbon taxes or fees, will make the industry more willing to use climate-friendly materials despite the sometimes-higher prices than for regular plastics. Additionally, as recycling PET/ rPET transforms simple waste into raw materials for the circular economy, the Recycling and Processing Fee currently charged against manufacturers and importers should also be appropriately reduced or exempted.