Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei ranks 59th in this year’s CCPI, making it a very low performer. The country receives a very low rating in GHG Emissions and Energy Use and a low in Renewable Energy and Climate Policy.

The country has a 2050 net-zero pathway and is developing its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), with updated targets of 28 ±2% and 38 ±2% reductions by 2030 and 2035, respectively, compared with 2005 levels. The Climate Change Response Act legally enshrines the net-zero goal and underpins a carbon pricing system, with a national carbon fee entering into force in 2025 and a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) pilot launching in the same year. However, the CCPI country experts criticise that emissions reductions remain far off track. In 2023, emissions were only 4.6% below 2005 levels, missing earlier goals, and even the weak 10% decrease target for 2025 may not be reached. The experts point out that carbon fee design offers major loopholes via low rates and exemptions for industries with reduction plans.

LNG locks in emissions in place of coal, while fossil reduction lacks a clear plan

Overall, Chinese Taipei participates in UNFCCC processes informally and seeks alignment with the Paris Agreement through updated NDCs and carbon pricing, while also funding adaptation projects in partner countries.

The experts mention that continued LNG expansion undermines climate ambition in the country. Coal plants set to retire are replaced by LNG, locking in emissions, and the experts criticise the misleading promotion of gas as a clean bridge fuel. They also critique the lack of a coal phase-out law, no clear strategy for reducing fossil fuels, and the remaining fossil fuel subsidies.

Biomass and waste-to-energy play only a marginal role in power generation in the country, with limited policies in place.

Wide range of renewables plans, but implementation is slow and inconsistent

In renewable energy, the country targets a 50–60% renewables share by 2050, including up to 80 GW of solar and 55 GW of offshore wind capacity. Policies include green certificates, feed-in tariffs, rooftop PV programs, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), and priority grid access. However, the experts point out that implementation remains slow and inconsistent. For 2025, renewables capacity was expected to reach only 15% of generation. Grid infrastructure is outdated and weak integration measures limit renewables uptake. Meanwhile, grid infrastructure remains outdated and the experts mention lack of public trust due to land conflicts, biodiversity impacts, and corruption scandals in solar and offshore wind development.

Chinese Taipei plans full electrification of public buses and government fleets by 2030, all new cars and motorcycles by 2040, and carbon neutrality in new buildings and 85% of existing buildings by 2050. The experts note that implementation is lagging and public transportation infrastructure remains underdeveloped, especially outside major urban centres.

They recommend that Chinese Taipei raise its climate ambition and accountability by establishing a legally binding framework for NDC implementation and substantially increasing the interim reduction targets. They also advise adopting a clear coal phase-out date and halting LNG expansion, removing fossil fuel subsidies, and redirecting funds to renewable energy, grid updates, and efficiency. And they indicate the need for binding targets for afforestation and soil carbon storage, securing indigenous participation in land-use decisions, and ensuring financing for ecosystem restoration.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Dr. Ying-Shih Hsieh (Environmental Quality Protection Foundation)
• Gloria K.- J. HSU (Mom Loves Taiwan Association)
• Robin Winkler (Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association Taiwan)