TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Greenpeace criticized Taiwan's carbon fee rates on Monday (Oct. 7), arguing they are too low to reduce emissions effectively.
Earlier that day, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV, 環境部) held its sixth meeting to review the carbon fee rate, setting the general rate at NT$300 per metric ton, with discounted rates of NT$100 and NT$50 for industries meeting specific benchmarks.
Greenpeace expressed disappointment over the decision, fearing businesses might treat the carbon fee as a manageable operating cost and pass it on to consumers, undermining emission reduction efforts.
Hsu Hsiang-cheng (徐祥誠), Greenpeace's executive administrative officer, highlighted that Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) had hoped carbon pricing would drive Taiwan's green growth. However, Hsu stated that the NT$300 rate per ton fails to achieve emission reductions and might make the international community view Taiwan as lacking commitment to carbon reduction.
Hsu urged MOENV to uphold its promises and promptly release a blueprint for carbon fee adjustments in the coming years. He also called on the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) to encourage businesses to prioritize carbon reduction and propose new policies to expand net-zero investments.
Also, Hsu suggested including renewable energy self-use equipment in the Statute for Industrial Innovation (產業創新條例) as a tax incentive, promoting renewable energy development and accelerating the pace of emission reductions.
