Title: The potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement in reducing CO2 emissions in Taiwan

Authors: Shih-Mo Lin, Jin-Xu Lin, Han-Pan Su, Fu-Kuang Ko, Le-Ren Lu

Addresses: Center for Applied Economic Modelling, Chung Yuan Christian University, CYCU, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan. ' Department of Economics, National Cheng-chi University, Taipei 11605, Taiwan. ' Department of International Trade, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li 32023, Taiwan. ' Environmental and Energy Technology Center, Institute of Nuclear Research, Lungtan 32546, Taiwan. ' Graduate Institute of Industrial Economics, National Central University, Chung-Li 32001, Taiwan

Abstract: The growing concerns over the global warming and energy security problems in Taiwan have led the government to design and promote renewable energy policies more aggressively over the past decade. This paper aims at examining to what extent the renewable-energy policies will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions in Taiwan. Our analysis results, using a specific CGE model, show that simply setting targets for the electricity generated by renewable energy is not sufficient to meet the reduction targets for CO2 emissions set forth in the GGRA. Additional measures, especially improving energy efficiency and imposing a carbon tax, are necessary in order to stabilise CO2 emissions for Taiwan in the remote future.

Keywords: CO2 emissions; carbon dioxide; carbon emissions; renewable energy; energy efficiency; global warming; energy security; Taiwan; carbon tax.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2009.027977

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2009 Vol.32 No.1/2, pp.119 - 138

Published online: 24 Aug 2009 *

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