On the morning of 30 August, EPA Deputy Minister Hung-Teh Tsai led a seminar both virtually and physically with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam (TECO Vietnam), Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), and the National Economics University (NEU). Attendees discussed policies and practices for promoting net-zero emissions by a low-carbon economy. Other EPA staff, as well as experts from local think tanks also participated in the event.
Deputy Minister Tsai mentioned that Taiwan as a member of the world has been striving to keep up with the international community to mitigate climate change. In March 2022, Taiwan’s National Development Council announced the “Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050.” Then the EPA renamed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act (溫室氣體減量及管理法) to Climate Change Response Act (氣候變遷因應法). The goal of net-zero emission by 2050 and carbon pricing mechanisms like the collection of carbon fees are now incorporated into the legislation to increase incentives to reduce emissions. Other ongoing measures include two key strategies: resource circulation and zero waste, as well as a net-zero green lifestyle. All of the above reflect Taiwan’s progress toward realizing a sustainable society of net-zero emissions by 2050.
TECO Vietnam Director Richard R. C. Shih noted that amid the tremendous economic loss to human society brought by climate change, Taiwan and Vietnam are working together to mitigate it and endeavor to achieve net-zero emission and prosperity. Professor Bui Duc Tho, chairman of the NEU Council, pointed out that Vietnam had declared its goal of net-zero emission by 2050 at the UNFCCC COP26, and it has led to many opportunities in the domestic energy sector and relevant industries. He said that Taiwan is highly experienced in developing a low-carbon industry and is in a leading position in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of relevant technologies and education; he hoped that both countries would continue the mutually beneficial exchanges and collaborations.
Taiwan’s efforts toward net zero include the Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050, strategic measures to facilitate resource circulation, zero waste, and a green lifestyle, as well as practices to reduce disposable products. Whether it be the industrial, energy, transportation and construction sectors or everyday life, these efforts have allowed the public to lead an environment-friendly lifestyle and contribute toward net-zero emissions.
On the Vietnam side, the MONRE highlighted its policies and practices toward net-zero emission. With its national emission expected to peak in 2035, Vietnam announced its national climate change strategies in July. Long-term plans as well as reduction goals for respective government agencies are set to reach net-zero emission by 2050. For its part, the NEU introduced its studies on Vietnam’s net-zero emission policies and cases.
Taiwan and Vietnam have presented their respective pathways and strategies to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Not only is the EPA glad to share with Vietnam Taiwan’s development of low-carbon industries and detailed measures to promote relevant policies, it is also willing to collaborate with the international community to develop a low-carbon economy.
Sources: EPA
