Author / Risk Society and Policy Research Center (RSPRC), National Taiwan University with reference to the reports from Vision Project and United Daily News

Figure / Provided through the courtesy of Vision Project（願景工程基金會）

Video / Provided through the courtesy of Vision Project（願景工程基金會）

Figure 1 Forum for Ideal and Reality about Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions

In response to “Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050” announced by the National Development Council on March 30, 2022, the Risk Society and Policy Research Center (RSPRC), National Taiwan University (NTU) and the Vision Project of the United Daily News co-hosted the "Ideal and Reality about Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions - A Breakfast Meeting with the Press" on April 1, 2022. Invited to this forum were a number of experts, scholars, civic groups and industry representatives engaged in the sectors of energy, air pollution, power grid, transportation and so on.They worked together to review “Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050”, analyzing the feasibility of related policy and discussed with the media reporters present.

Figure 2 Group photo of the speakers in the first half session

This forum was divided into two sessions: ”Does the Pathway to Net-Zero Work?” and “Does Net Zero Governance Work?”. Guest speakers participating in the first session themed as "Does the Pathway to Net-Zero Work?" were Kuo-Ｙen Wei, former Minister of Environmental Protection Administration; Faa-Jeng Lin, Dean of College of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, National Central University; Ben-Jei Tsuang, Professor of Department of Environmental Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, and Jyh-Yih Hsu, Distinguished Research Professor of College of Innovative Industries and Department of Business Administration, Chung Hua University. Kuei-Tien Chou, Director of NTU RSPRC, served not only as a speaker but also as the moderator of the first comprehensive panel discussion.

Invited to the second session themed as "Does Net Zero Governance Work?" were Dr. Jiang-Cai Lin, Consultant to the Work Group for Roadmap to Net-Zero Emissions, Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA); Daigee Shaw, Adjunct Research Fellow of Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica; Shyue-koong (Jason) Chang, Director of Advanced Public Transportation Research Center (APTRC) and Professor in Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, and Ju-Ping Kao, Secretary General and the First Chairperson of Taiwan Renewable Energy Alliance (TRENA). Ju-Ping Kao served as the moderator of the second session.

Figure 3 Kuo-Yen Wei, former Minister of Environmental Protection Administration

Kuo-yen Wei thought that the Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions proclaimed by the National Development Council was a linear figure that was not suitable for reflecting the future reality of national energy security, technological development, international situation and natural resources. Wei suggested that the pathway should be a curve. He also pointed out the government should tell the people what the Primary energy supply would be like by 2050.

Figure 4 Faa-Jeng Lin, Dean of College of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, National Central University

Faa-Jeng Lin called for three major instant actions to Taiwan Power Company: (1) accelerating the research and development on energy storage and green hydrogen, (2) introducing smart power grid, and (3) liberalizing electricity industry. Lin stressed that Taiwan should never sit back as green power increases, because the higher the proportion of green power takes, the more unstable the grid system would be. 

Figure 5 Ben-Jei Tsuang, Professor of Department of Environmental Engineering, National Chung Hsing University

Ben-Jei Tsuang advocated that the university campus should become a "regional energy center for net zero emissions". Professor Tsuang said that the NCHU has summoned teachers and students of various departments to plan a carbon reduction proposal in the campus, hoping to demonstrate that people from all walks of life can be mobilized to achieve the goal of net zero emissions.

Figure 6 Jyh-Yih Hsu, Distinguished Professor of Department of Business Administration, Chung Hua University

From the perspective of the electricity market, Jyh-Yih Hsu, Distinguished Research Professor of College of Innovative Industries and Department of Business Administration, Chung Hua University, suggested that Taiwan Power Company should open up the market and change the electricity price policy so that the electricity price can reflect its actual cost.

Figure 7 Kuei-Tien Chou, Director of NTU RSPRC

Kuei-Tien Chou, Director of NTU RSPRC, affirmed that Taiwan is one of the few countries in the world that announces the Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions, but Taiwan’s brown economy characterized by low water prices, low electricity prices, low oil prices, and low labor wages has made the resistance power to zero carbon transition even greater. Director Kuei-Tien Chou suggested that the government should: (1) curb carbon emissions through carbon fees and energy taxes, (2) promote technological innovation in zero carbon transition, accumulate "Just Transition” funds and (3) redistribute the carbon tax revenue to stakeholders affected by climate change.

Figure 8 Dr. Jiang-Cai Lin, Consultant to the Work Group for Roadmap to Net-Zero Emissions, Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (TEEMA)

Dr. Jiang-Cai Lin, Consultant of TEEMA worried about the stability of power supply. He said that if any major power outages happened again, investors may not choose Taiwan anymore.

Figure 9 Daigee Shaw, Adjunct Fellow of Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica

Daigee Sgaw expressed his appreciation that the government has viewed the industrial transformation as an opportunity. Furthermore, he urged the government to make better use of Taiwan's rich forest resources. He also suggested that the Ministry of Finance should join the plan for net zero emissions, because it is the ministry that holds the financial tools in a country.

Figure 10 Professor Shyue-Koong (Jason) Chang, Director of Advanced Public Transportation Research Center (APTRC), National Taiwan University

Professor Shyue-Koong (Jason) Chang, Director of APTRC has been promoting "green transportation" for nearly 30 years. He said that what we lack in the current roadmap are both management and electrification strategies for automobiles and motorcycles. He suggested that the government should revise the tax system and policies to guide public behavior; for example, taxes should be levied to manage the external costs of personal transport, rewarding people for using public transportation, and companies could encourage employees to switch to electric vehicles.

Figure 11 Ju-Ping Kao, Secretary General of Taiwan Renewable Energy Alliance (TRENA)

Ju-Ping Kao echoed the views of Professor Ben-Jei Tsuang. Pointed out that the campus is one of the large electricity consumers, the university must make itself an example by shouldering the great responsibility of educating the general public, accelerating the cultivation of Green Talents, and adding net zero issues to teacher training curriculum.

Figure 12 Group photo of the speakers in the second half

The National Development Council has published the policy for Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions, providing a basis for dialogue among all sectors of the society. Based on this policy, NTU RSPRC has issued its own advice statement, hosted this forum to share the views of scholars and experts, exchange opinions and conduct the Q&A session with media reporters. RSPRC hopes to take the lead in setting up reference indicators for extensive discussions and the follow-up policy-driven national communication about Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions.

Video : "Ideal and Reality about Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions - Breakfast Meeting with the Press"