Minister of Environment Shieu Fuh-sheng (薛富盛) on Wednesday said he is to step down after the May 20 inauguration of president-elect William Lai (賴清德) next month.
Fifteen members of the Lai administration’s Cabinet have been named so far, but no appointment has been announced for environmental minister, leading to speculation that Shieu, who oversaw the agency’s upgrade into a ministry in August last year, might stay on after Lai takes office.
However, speaking to reporters ahead of a legislative committee hearing on Wednesday, Shieu said he would not be continuing as minister after May 20, and would instead return to academia.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
As he would be aged 65 next year, Shieu said he planned to return to National Chung Hsing University and apply to postpone his retirement, so that he can continue teaching and researching.
At the hearing, Shieu was asked what he saw as the three most important issues that his successor would face.
He said that one major task would be the implementation of Taiwan’s new carbon fee system, as well as reducing carbon emissions as the country looks to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Taiwan’s carbon fee program was initiated this year, and is to assess yet-to-be-announced carbon fee rates based on emissions this year, with payments due next year, similar to the income tax.
The new minister would also have to focus on reducing plastic use, Shieu said, adding that the UN is expected to reach a binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of this year.
The ministry would also have to find logistical solutions for the nation’s waste processing issues, particularly in the short term as several incinerators in the country undergo repairs and upgrades, he said.
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