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Energy-consuming industries pledge to reduce emissions

Associations for six high energy-consuming industries signed an agreement yesterday pledging to voluntarily conserve energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The voluntary agreement comes ahead of the implementation of the Kyoto protocol on Feb. 16. Countries that ratified the accord are committed to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases.

Under the auspices of the Industrial Development Bureau and the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI, 工業總會), the associations representing the petrochemical; cement; pulp and paper; steel; man-made fiber; and printing, dyeing and finishing industries joined the Ministry of Economic Affairs in signing the agreement.

A total of 125 manufacturers from the six industries pledged to voluntarily cut carbon dioxide emissions starting next year based on 2004 levels. Under the agreement, the companies are expected to conserve a total of 1.39 million KLOE (kiloliters of oil equivalent) and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 4 million tonnes by 2008.

Attending the signing ceremony, Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥) said the government would put recyclable energy at the forefront of a key science and technology development project for next year.

She said the government would use research and development support, tax incentives and energy procurement policies to encourage the development of emerging energy sources.

A government bill encouraging the development of recyclable energy such as solar and wind power as well as bio-mass diesel has been sent to the legislature for deliberation, she said.
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