The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) has started in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on November 30th, 2023. The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) officially announced that Taoyuan City has formally joined the alliance being a member and tackles climate crisis with other cities around the world in December 2th, 2023.
In order to achieve net-zero and improve air quality in the city, Mayor Chang Shan-Cheng has also declared that 50% of carbon reduction must be achieved in 2030. Therefore, the Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection (Taoyuan DEP) has actively negotiated with 7 coal-fired cogeneration plants. They not only have set their goals, but also planned the schedules of coal phase-out. It is estimated that 2.44 million tons of CO2e can be eliminated and significantly reduce air pollution, which safeguards residents’ health by building sustainable city and communities.
Mayor Chang says that Taoyuan DEP, Department of Economic Development, Taiwan Power Company, CPC Corporation and 7 cogeneration plants need to work together for energy transformation and stable power supply.
Director-general Chen Shyh-Wei of Taoyuan DEP has pointed out that 7 cogeneration plants have 2.44 million tons of coal consumption annually, which is about 67% of total coal consumption in the city. Air pollutants produced have contain particulate matters, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, which are 6.7%, 19.5% and 12.7% of total industrial emissions, respectively. The city government will supervise the progress of coal reduction in 7 cogeneration plants to make sure they can achieve their goals before 2030.