The Taoyuan City Council last week passed the Autonomous Regulations on Developing Taoyuan City as a Low-Carbon-Emission and Green City (桃園市發展低碳綠色城市自治條例), which are scheduled to take effect as early as late next year.
The measure, containing a number of unprecedented mechanisms that have yet to be implemented, includes a mandate to require the installation of air pollution detection systems for large temples and power-saving lights for large communities, as well as the issuance of “green business” certificates to retailers, hotels and hospitals.
Officials from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection said that Taoyuan is to join Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung as cities that promote low carbon-emission practices and “green” architecture, with a system of regulations and penalties.
In drafting the regulations, the city government considered domestic and international experience in local policies, and adopted a scheme that would address challenges specific to Taoyuan, the department said.
The regulations are to be enforced comprehensively across a variety of institutions and industries, including municipal departments and agencies, schools, temples, hospitals and restaurants, it added.
For example, big retailers and convenience stores are to be required to obtain “green business” certificates and prioritize eco-friendly products, while hotels must obtain “green business” certificates and encourage their patrons to bring their own personal hygienic products, the department said.
Temples are to be required to install automated air-pollution detection systems for PM2.5 — particulate matter measuring 25 micrometers in diameter or smaller; public parking lots must provide priority spaces for bicycles and low-emission motor vehicles; and municipal offices and public schools are to establish energy-conservation workshops, while their cafeterias are to prioritize serving locally produced food items, the department added.
The regulations are aimed at promoting low carbon-emission practices in the city’s industrial, residential and urban areas, it said.
Developing policies to address low carbon emissions and a “green” city is a flagship project of the municipal administration and is to be supervised by the Department of Environmental Protection, Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) said in an administrative meeting.
Municipal departments and agencies involved are to finalize their plans by March next year, and to submit policy implementation directives by April next year, Cheng added.
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