The government will increase its island development fund by 20 percent to NT$1.2 billion (US$37.3 million) for next year to promote a low-carbon economy on the nation’s outlying islands, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) said yesterday.
The outlying islands refer to Penghu (澎湖), Kinmen (金門), Matsu (馬祖), Orchid Island (蘭嶼), Green Island (綠島) and Siaoliouciou (小琉球).
“Because these islands are small, it is easier to promote [a] low-carbon [economy] there,” Alexander Wang (王志輝), a director at the CEPD’s urban and housing development department, said by telephone.
Wang said Kinmen and Penghu would receive around NT$300 million each, and NT$200 million would be given to Matsu. Siaoliouciou will obtain NT$80 million and Green Island and Orchid Island will receive NT$60 million each.
The CEPD said that the local governments of the islands had been directed to submit proposals on their strategies and plans to promote a low carbon economy to the Cabinet for review in April. The proposals have since received ministerial approval.
“All offshore development projects will be focused on the promotion of low-carbon emissions next year,” Wang said, adding that Green Island will be built as a “green and recreational island” and Siaoliouciou as a “model low-carbon emissions island.”
The government will develop low-carbon energy resources, green transportation, ecological tourism and low-carbon communities in Siaoliouciou, hoping to enhance the island’s unique characteristics, the CEPD said.
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