TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The chairman of a major trade association expressed concern over the proposed carbon fee during a meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 18), criticizing the burden it would place on the industry.
The Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部) held a meeting to review the carbon fee rate in September. Committee members suggested a fee of NT$300 to NT$500 per ton, with plans to gradually increase it to NT$1,200 to NT$1,800 per ton after 2030.
Lin Po-feng (林伯豐), chairman of the "Third Wednesday Club" (三三企業交流會), stated that while the initial NT$300 per ton fee is barely acceptable to the business community, Taiwan should consider a five-year buffer period similar to Singapore's. He suggested reviewing the fee rate again in 2035 based on actual conditions.
Lin emphasized that Taiwan, an export-oriented country, should ensure fairness in carbon fee collection. He recommended that imported goods be subject to the same carbon fees as those produced domestically.
He also argued that collecting carbon fees is just one method of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The government should assist businesses in reducing carbon emissions during manufacturing and subsidize the research and application of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
Finally, Lin urged the government to reassess its energy policy. He noted that Taiwan relies on fossil fuels for 80% of its electricity generation and suggested including nuclear energy in the base load to reduce carbon emissions effectively.
