Tue, Feb 18, 2025 page2

• Carbon tariff bill could come this year: minister

  CLEANUP EFFORTS: The environment ministry and the Water Resources Agency announced plans to make the Tamsui River clean enough to swim in

  • By Chen Chia-yi, Chen Chia-yi, Esme Yeh and Lery Hiciano / Staff reporters, with staff writers
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  A bill to establish Taiwan’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) would be formulated in the second half of this year at the earliest, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啟明) said yesterday as new carbon tariffs are to be imposed under the EU’s CBAM next year.

  The EU has said that mandatory carbon tariffs would be applied to carbon-intensive products imported into its territory, such as steel, cement and aluminum, with official guidelines to be issued by July or August.

  Peng said he has taken up the EU’s invitation to become one of its international CBAM consultants and would continue to observe the latest developments.

  

  Steel coils are pictured at China Steel Corp’s plant in Kaohsiung in an undated photograph.

  Photo courtesy of China Steel Corp

  Taiwan’s CBAM could be proposed in the second half of this year at the earliest in line with the EU’s official documents upon their release, he said.

  Given that US President Donald Trump is introducing new tariff policies targeting different importing countries, how the EU’s CBAM responds to US tariff schemes remains uncertain, Peng said.

  As CBAM is a complicated trade process that is regulated by the WTO, Taiwan would have to apply to the WTO for approval for its own version, he said.

  

  Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming, center, and other officials pose with a memorandum of understanding in Taipei yesterday.

  Photo: Chen Chia-yi, Taipei Times

  Domestic steel and cement manufacturers have complained to the Ministry of Environment that major competing importers are not required to disclose their carbon emissions, Peng said, adding that the ministry is compiling a list of importers — most of which are steel or cement manufacturers — to be regulated along with agencies in charge of international trade and customs affairs.

  In line with the carbon fees implemented for domestic manufacturers from this year, the ministry would next set up a scheme requiring importers to disclose carbon footprints and emissions based on the EU’s regulations, he said.

  For example, Taiwan imports about one-third of its cement from Vietnam, which would definitely be subject to CBAM regulations, he said.

  Such measures must be introduced to protect domestic manufacturers, he said.

  Meanwhile, the National Environmental Research Academy and the Water Resources Agency yesterday announced plans to make the Tamsui River (淡水河) clean enough to swim in.

  “The goal is for people to swim in the river someday, just like the Seine in Paris,” Peng said at an event marking a signing of a memorandum of understanding on the “Transparent Tamsui River” imitative.

  In the next few months, the project is to launch an online platform to help the public learn about the pollution status of the river, he said.

  The Tamsui River is Taiwan’s most iconic river, and has been allocated the most money for cleaning and rehabilitation, he said.

  Monitoring stations along the river can help identify pollution sources and help officials take necessary steps to reduce it, Water Resources Agency Director-General Lai Chien-hsin (賴建信) said.

  Climate change affects seawater and the amount of water flowing through the Tamsui River to the sea, Lai said.

  Starting this year, the agencies are to launch a new study on the effects of climate change on water volume and how heavily polluted water plays a role in these dynamics, he said.

  Proactive water management is necessary as climate change has caused severe changes in water systems, National Environmental Research Academy Director Liu Tsung-yung (劉宗勇) said.

  Through scientific research, these efforts can be bolstered, such as through cooperation between the National Environmental Research Academy and the Water Resources Agency on climate change, pollution prevention and water planning, he said.

  Additional reporting by CNA
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