While welcoming Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) expansion, environmental campaigners yesterday called on the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration in Taichung to raise the proportion of renewable energy use at the park by 10 percent each year to reach 100 percent by 2030.
TSMC has applied for a phase 6 expansion plan for its facility in Taichung to build a 2-nanometer fab, which is to undergo a second phase of environmental impact assessment next month after being required to submit more documents, Air Clean Taiwan executive secretary Chao Hui-lin (趙慧琳) said.
“We represent many mothers with their families in Taichung, and we support TSMC’s new plan, as the company is the ‘silicon shield’ protecting our nation. However, at the same time, we also want zero carbon emissions to protect our city and our children’s future,” Chao said at a rally in front of the Taichung City Government.
Photo: Su Chin-feng, Taipei Times
“So we request Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) to work with TSMC to safeguard Taichung residents in joint efforts to combat global climate change and mitigate local air pollution,” she said.
Chao listed three major demands by environmental advocates: first, slow the pace of the development of its park, which currently producees about 3.51 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year; second, require that at least 40 percent of the energy at the park be derived from renewable resources by 2024, with the ratio increasing by 10 percent each until it reaches 100 percent by 2030; and third, Taichung must join national energy-saving, renewable energy and energy storage efforts, while requiring TSMC to supply all its own energy needs from renewable resources.
“Taichung has experienced power and water shortages in the past few years, which show that all resources are finite, and unlimited production expansion is not possible,” Chao said.
“It is time for the government to guide changes to transform high-investment, high-energy, high-polluting industries, such as steel, to make them more efficient,” said Lai Yi-chun (賴怡均), board member of Taichung Dadu Mountain Air Pollution Clean-Up Association.
The Taichung Environmental Protection Bureau said that at a meeting with TSMC officials at the end of last year, the city government had emphasized the need for the company to have in place more environmentally friendly, renewable energy and recycling programs to manage its water and power supply needs.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
RSS