The 229 energy projects being promoted by the ROC government helped reduce carbon emissions by 4.82 million metric tons in 2011, according to the Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs Feb. 13.
“Energy density and carbon density in the first three quarters of last year dropped 4.9 percent and 0.87 percent respectively, compared with the same period in 2010,” the BOE said. “This is an indication that Taiwan’s carbon emission reduction efforts are steadily being fulfilled, and that its energy efficiency is gradually improving.”
According to the BOE, one important reason for the drop in carbon emissions was the decision by several power plants owned by state-run Taiwan Power to use more natural gas and less coal in generating electricity. This alone helped cut CO2 emissions by 1.14 million metric tons.
Another 1.4 million metric tons was slashed as a result of the combined efforts of 238 enterprises in implementing 824 carbon reduction measures, the BOE said.
Looking ahead, the creation of low-carbon communities, support for green energy industries, and the passage of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act will help Taiwan to continue its goals of cutting carbon emissions, the BOE pointed out.
“We will continue to implement the government’s carbon reduction plans, and hope that through education, green energy can become an idea deeply rooted in the minds of the people,” the BOE said.
