Participants at a May 19 climate change symposium in Taipei City called for the implementation of an energy tax to promote more sustainable growth for Taiwan.
“A new tax scheme should be introduced to offer incentives for companies to cut energy consumption and carbon emissions,” said Lai Wei-chieh, head of local environmental group Green Citizens’ Action Alliance.
“The government should also seek a more effective way to incorporate suggestions from civic groups in future policymaking decisions,” he added.
An energy tax was only one of 61 topics covered at the round table talks. Other issues included renewable energy development, lowering energy consumption in the manufacturing sector and environmental education in secondary and elementary schools, according to event organizer the Environmental Protection Administration.
The one-day forum was attended by more than 500 academics, government officials and members of local environmental groups, the EPA noted.
Its conclusions will be presented during a two-day national symposium on climate change June 5 to 6 in Taipei City.
According to the EPA, the June gathering, which President Ma Ying-jeou is set to attend, is expected to boost collaboration between the government and civil environmental groups, as part of government efforts to create a sustainable development model.
The group discussion was the sixth of its kind following similar events in Yilan County and New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Taipei cities over the past year, all hosted by the EPA.
