Vice Premier Cheng Li-Chiun Chairs NCSD Meeting: Advancing the Six Major Sector Carbon Reduction Flagship Projects to Drive Overall Net Zero Transition
Vice Premier Cheng Li-Chiun presided over the 37th NCSD Council Meeting today (28), and stated that net-zero transition is a shared goal for Taiwan and the world. The National Council for Sustainable Development has proposed "Taiwan's Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan," setting the nation's Phase Three Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets as the achievement of a 28% ± 2% reduction in net emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The action plans prioritize the Energy, Manufacturing, Residential and Commercial, Transportation, Agricultural, and Environmental sectors—referred to as the Six Major Sectors—and includes 20 Carbon Reduction Flagship Projects. The responsible ministries for the Six Major Sectors are requested to continuously update and enhance these flagship projects. Additionally, the Six Key Innovative Mechanisms should be fully developed to drive the overall net-zero transition.
Vice Premier Cheng, in her remarks, stated that today marks the first committee meeting since the inauguration of the 21st-term members. On behalf of the Executive Yuan and Premier Cho Jung-Tai, she extended her greetings to all committee members and expressed gratitude for their efforts toward the nation's sustainable development. The NCSD is composed equally of government agencies, academic experts, and social organizations, with members from diverse fields who possess extensive experience in sustainable development research and practice. She added that she looks forward to the valuable recommendations the committee will provide to guide Taiwan toward a sustainable future.
Vice Premier Cheng further pointed out that the NCSD is divided into four working groups: "Inclusive Society," "Sustainable Economy," "National Resilience," and "Green Environment." In 2023, the Committee revised and promulgated the "National Climate Change Action Guidelines." Starting last year (2024), Premier Cho assigned her to oversee the "Climate Change and Net-Zero Transition" task force, actively researching new carbon reduction targets and Taiwan's Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan. On January 23, 2025, at the 3rd meeting of the National Climate Change Committee at the Presidential Office, the new national greenhouse gas reduction targets were officially presented: a 28% ± 2% reduction in net emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, 32% ± 2% by 2032, and 38% ± 2% by 2035.
Vice Premier Cheng stated that the "National Biodiversity Strategies Blueprint" is currently another important topic. As the climate changes, this also impacts biodiversity. In response to Committee expectations, the government has revised the "National Biodiversity Strategies" and incorporated biodiversity into the "Green Environment" working plan. To strengthen implementation, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture will concurrently serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the NCSD to coordinate and oversee inter-ministerial efforts related to biodiversity and to establish the framework for ecological governance.
Subsequently, Vice Premier Cheng, after receiving a progress report on the promotion of the Ministry of Environment and related ministries' "Taiwan's Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan," stated that the net-zero transition is a shared goal of Taiwan and the world. In response to the international trend of "NDC 3.0" (Nationally Determined Contributions), the Executive Yuan has approved the "Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas Periodic Regulatory Goals." Furthermore, Taiwan will align with international standards by submitting the 2035 NDC 3.0 this year (2025). Throughout this process, various ministries will collaborate to strengthen social communication, coordinated with the national Comprehensive Carbon Reduction Action Plan, aiming to achieve the new national carbon reduction targets. Vice Premier Cheng went on to emphasize that the action plan's "Six Major Sectors"—energy, manufacturing, residential and commercial, transportation, agricultural, and environmental—and the "20 Carbon Reduction Flagship Projects" are of utmost importance. She urged the six main responsible ministries to continue communicating with all sectors of society, widely solicit opinions, and continuously revise and improve each carbon reduction flagship project.
Vice Premier Cheng continued by adding that, in the energy sector, efforts must be intensified to actively replace coal with natural gas by 2030 and to develop advanced carbon reduction technologies. This includes promoting diverse renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, small hydropower, and deep geothermal energy, as well as advancing forward-looking carbon reduction technologies like energy storage technologies, deep energy conservation, and resilient power grids. The relevant ministries were also requested to properly conduct national land inventory and planning for the land required for solar power installations. In the residential and commercial sectors, continuous promotion of near-zero carbon buildings and strengthening corporate adoption of ESCO energy-saving improvements are urged, while in the transportation sector, the construction of comprehensive public transportation systems, the promotion of vehicle electrification, and various carbon-neutral initiatives should be accelerated. At the same time, Vice Premier Cheng extended her appreciation to the manufacturing, agricultural, and environmental sectors for their proactive efforts thus far.
Vice Premier Cheng also emphasized that the Six Major Sectors should focus on reducing carbon emissions at the source. Therefore, it is essential to fully develop the Six Key Innovative Mechanisms: technological innovation, financial support, carbon pricing, regulatory adjustment, green collar talent, and community driven. These innovations will be the drivers of the overall net-zero transition.
Regarding the Ministry of Agriculture's report on the "Promotion of the National Biodiversity Strategies Blueprint," the Ministry is requested to consider the Committee's recommendations and coordinate the revision of the "National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans." This should include the gradual completion of framework planning, inter-ministerial division of responsibilities, and confirmation of action plans. The implementation should be promoted through cross-ministerial cooperation and public-private partnerships. Additionally, Committee members should be invited to participate in the plans' execution process to ensure that the set objectives are achieved.