Private, public sectors join hands to conserve energy, cut emissions

This article was written by Bowun Jhu and published by the Taiwan Journal on January 6, 2006. It reports that six Taiwanese industrial associations recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to voluntarily conserve energy and cut carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

More significantly, a total of 125 manufacturers with the highest levels of energy consumption pledged together to begin cutting carbon dioxide emissions, starting in 2006. It is expected that by 2008, these manufacturers will cumulatively conserve the equivalent of 1.39 million kiloliters of oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the climate-warming effect of 4.02 million tones of carbon dioxide.

The moves mentioned above are the result of a national energy conference held in June 2005. The six industrial associations include those representing Taiwan's steel, petrochemical, cement, paper, man-made fiber, and textile industries. The Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association, the nation's largest trade association, is also following suit.

In the government's part, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will provide these industrial associations and their member manufacturers with information and consultation services through its Bureau of Energy and Industrial Development. Tax incentives for utilization of renewable-energy technologies and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will also be provided.

More details about the efforts by Taiwan's public and private sectors to conserve energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions are provided in this article.