President Ma Ying-jeou on the morning of November 4 attended the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) 3rd Conference on Green Productivity. Apart from applauding the APO for its years of work for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, the president also described the government's success in conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions.
President Ma commented that the ROC is a founding member of the APO, and last year the APO and other APO member states recognized our many years of hard work to develop green productivity by approving establishment of the Center of Excellence on Green Productivity (COE GP) in Taiwan. That center, noted the president, has become an important Asia-Pacific platform for promoting a green economy and is also instrumental in fostering cooperation and alliances among countries and industries. Together, these parties are enhancing green productivity and forging a win-win-win situation for energy, the economy, and the environment, he commented.
President Ma noted that the APO held this conference in Manila in 1996 and 2002, while this year marks the first time it has held the event in Taipei. He expressed hope that this conference, at which many international experts are gathered, will spark greater green awareness among Taiwan's industrial leaders. At the same time, Taiwan wants to share its experiences with manufacturers in APO member states to spur further regional innovation and sustainable development, the president remarked. This will enable the COE GP to become a resource center in the Asia-Pacific for sustainable development and green productivity, he added.
As for the government's achievements in promoting green industry, energy conservation, and carbon reduction, the president said, even as Taiwan actively pursues rapid economic growth, it also places considerable importance on protecting the environment and maintaining ecological balance, with the hope of realizing the national objective of sustainable development. He added that after he took office in 2008, his administration began promoting six major emerging industries (biotechnology, tourism, green energy, medicine and health care, high-end agriculture, and cultural & creative industries) and four emerging smart industries (cloud computing, intelligent electric vehicles, smart green buildings, and industrial application of invention patents) to fulfill Taiwan's quest for an innovation-driven and sustainable economy, which is in line with the founding mission of the APO.
In the area of energy conservation and carbon reduction, President Ma mentioned, after taking office he proclaimed a policy objective of reducing Taiwan's carbon emissions even though the nation has been unable to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or the Kyoto Protocol. The goals set forth were for per capita carbon emissions in 2020 and 2025 to return to the levels of 2005 and 2000, respectively, he said. After over six years of work, he added, Taiwan's annual carbon emissions are now between 245 and 250 million tons, which is quite near the 2020 goal of 245 million tons. Meanwhile, carbon intensity has also declined at an average annual rate of 3.11%, the president stated. At the same time, Taiwan's energy intensity has improved by an annual average of 2.45%, which means we have been reaching our goal of at least a 2% annual reduction, he said, further pointing out that energy intensity in the first half of this year was down 1.51% year-on-year. President Ma emphasized that though reducing carbon emissions is an enormous challenge, Taiwan has no time to avoid or hesitate on this issue. The government, he stated, will continue its efforts stay in line with international trends.
The president also mentioned that in order to encourage the conservation of energy and ease the effects of global warming, the government has implemented the Energy Administration Act and the Renewable Energy Development Act, and it is also working for passage of a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and an Energy Tax Act. At the same time, the government is also actively promoting the installation of rooftop solar energy panels sufficient to provide power to one million homes, and the construction of 1,000 land- and sea-based wind turbines, he said.
Lastly, President Ma reiterated his appreciation to the APO for its long-term support of the ROC and its detailed planning of this conference, which, he said, is sure to be an overwhelming success.