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Germany’s Climate And Energy Policy After The Election – Policy Making in the Backdrop of Security and Economic Challenges
After the election two weeks ago, Friedrich Merz, a conservative and former corporate lawyer for Blackrock, is likely to become the next chancellor of Germany. The campaign was dominated by the economy and migration, while the climate crisis played an insignificant role. According to a recent poll, Germans consider the economic situation and migration as most pressing issues, with 43 % and 42 % ranking them as top concerns, respectively. Germany has long been a key advocate for climate action. But according to Simon Franzmann, Professor for Democratic Studies in Göttingen, parties emphasize growth and the promise of wealth as key topics, while climate targets move back on the political agenda. Will Germany still be able to decarbonize its economy in this political setting? And will it still lead on climate policy after turning against its incumbent center-left coalition? Merz Wins, The Center Loses, Right And Left-Wing Parties Gain Votes […]
(Taiwan Insight)With its threats to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and its “energy dominance” agenda, the return of the Trump administration is set to disrupt the global energy landscape. This marks a sharp contrast to the climate legacy of the Biden administration, characterised by historic investments, governance innovation, and renewed international leadership. The Biden administration has implemented a comprehensive approach to address climate change through legislation, policy coordination, and international leadership. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, allocates $370 billion in federal incentives, the largest climate-focused investment globally. The IRA mandates that 40% of the funds benefit disadvantaged communities and enforces strict environmental standards for hydrogen projects. To ensure effective implementation, the Biden administration established the National Climate Task Force, adopting a whole-of-government approach to domestic climate policy coordination. Therefore, climate change is listed as a key pillar of the National Security Strategy and Trade Policy Agenda. The Department of Treasury, for example, proposed the first Climate Action Plan in 2021. In addition to the federal level, the local climate actions were also strengthened by providing grants to support each state, Metropolitan Statistical Area, Tribe, and territories to develop priority climate plans. Internationally, Biden restored US leadership in climate negotiations, convening the Leaders’ Summit on Climate in 2021 and fostering global initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and the Green Shipping Challenge. Collaborations like the First Movers Coalition also mobilised private-sector support for green technologies like steel and concrete. Within the formal UN COP process, the US also played a constructive role in formalising the “loss and damage fund” and “transition away from fossil fuel” in the negotiation texts. This progress made in addressing climate change, however, faces significant challenges as Trump prepares to take office in January. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a comprehensive 900-page policy blueprint for the next Republican administration, recommends scaling back environmental regulations, expediting fossil fuel project permits, and halting clean energy subsidies. According to Energy Innovation, implementing Project 2025 could increase US greenhouse gas emissions by 27% by 2030, adding 0.04°C of warming by 2100. Trump’s appointees for key climate and energy positions signal a dramatic policy shift. Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is nominated to lead the Interior Department and chair the newly established National Energy Council, tasked with dismantling the achievements of the National Climate Task Force. Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, is poised to become Secretary of Energy, while former Congressman Lee Zeldin is tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin, an outspoken advocate for energy dominance, emphasised the importance of gasoline vehicles during his nomination announcement. Domestically, Trump has pledged to halve energy and electricity prices within 18 months, aiming to achieve this by ramping up fossil fuel production on federal lands and removing utility regulations. However, experts warn that these goals are unrealistic, given the interconnected nature of global oil markets. Internationally, Trump plans to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement once again, potentially by 2026. This retreat would weaken global climate cooperation, particularly by reducing the US’s $11 billion climate finance commitment, limiting other countries’ ability to propose ambitious climate plans necessary for closing the emissions gap. For Taiwan, climate change and energy transition have played a growing role in its partnership with the US over the past four years. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) has supported climate expos and forums, while the 2024 Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) focused on the net-zero transition. Moreover, the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade includes a dedicated chapter on environmental and climate issues. Another symbolic climate moment was when President Tsai announced Taiwan should commit to Net-Zero by 2050 at a forum supported by AIT. However, starting in 2025, climate change may no longer serve as a shared priority between the US and Taiwan, creating new challenges for Taiwan’s international climate engagement. To adapt to this shifting landscape, Taiwan must conduct a strategic analysis to mitigate risks and capitalise on emerging opportunities. One key issue for analysis is the geopolitical impact of climate change. Over the past four years, U.S.-China cooperation has been crucial for advancing global climate negotiations. If the US steps back, the EU and UK may collaborate with China to stabilise the global climate regime. However, China has previously used climate negotiations as leverage in geopolitical disputes, such as suspending climate talks with the US following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Taiwan must account for these risks when engaging with EU and UK leadership. Another critical issue is Taiwan’s energy relationship with the US. Currently, the US supplies 10% of Taiwan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG). While the Biden administration temporarily paused LNG terminal expansions in early 2023, the Trump administration is likely to promote increased LNG exports. This raises concerns about the “lock-in effect,” where expanded LNG infrastructure could hinder decarbonisation efforts after 2035. To address this, Taiwan should establish a clear roadmap for LNG use that balances energy security with long-term climate goals. In terms of trade, electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage have been focal points of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation under Biden. While “energy transition” prioritises shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources to achieve decarbonisation, “energy innovation” emphasises advancing technologies to enhance energy production and efficiency, regardless of the energy source. Under Trump, “energy transition” may lose prominence at the federal level, but “energy innovation” will likely remain a priority of their energy dominance agenda. Advanced geothermal energy, for instance, could attract significant investment. Taiwan has recently announced an ambitious target of over 3 GW of geothermal energy by 2030. By expanding its geothermal strategy, Taiwan could strengthen energy trade with the US, balancing economic ties while advancing decarbonisation goals. In conclusion, Trump’s return to the presidency could reshape the global energy landscape, challenging Taiwan to navigate a more uncertain climate policy environment. By proactively addressing geopolitical risks, energy flows, and trade opportunities, Taiwan can safeguard its climate ambitions while maintaining robust ties with the US. Dr Chia-wei Chao is the Research Director of Taiwan Climate Action Network (TCAN) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at National Taiwan University’s Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
With its threats to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and its “energy dominance” agenda, the return of the Trump administration is set to disrupt the global energy landscape. This marks a sharp contrast to the climate legacy of the Biden administration, characterised by historic investments, governance innovation, and renewed international leadership. The Biden administration has implemented a comprehensive approach to address climate change through legislation, policy coordination, and international leadership. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, allocates $370 billion in federal incentives, the largest climate-focused investment globally. The IRA mandates that 40% of the funds benefit disadvantaged communities and enforces strict environmental standards for hydrogen projects. To ensure effective implementation, the Biden administration established the National Climate Task Force, adopting a whole-of-government approach to domestic climate policy coordination. Therefore, climate change is listed as a key pillar of the National Security Strategy and Trade Policy Agenda. The Department […]
Just Transition Outlook in Taiwan: Innovating Governance and Fostering a Support System
The past three years have seen a proliferation of “just transition” (JT) in Taiwan’s climate policy-making circles. The government’s 12 Key Strategies in Transformation toward Net-Zero Emissions, announced in December 2022, and the updated Climate Change Response Act Parliament passed in January 2023 both featured JT-specific provisions and action plans. Such is the result of years of civil society advocacy and engagement, making Taiwan one of the leading countries worldwide that have defined JT as a guiding principle in their framework laws on climate change. With the policy and legislative frameworks for JT more or less in place, the task now lies in ensuring their robust implementation: addressing and mitigating any negative impacts the transition to a net-zero society may bring, directing funding and resources to workers and communities whose livelihoods the transition hits, and making sure that the technologies and economic activities we transition into do not exacerbate existing […]
（CNA）Environmental groups protest industry-friendly carbon fee regulations
CNA photo July 12, 2024 Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Environmental groups staged a protest at a public meeting hosted by the Ministry of Environment on Friday, saying that the government’s proposed carbon fee mechanisms excessively favor polluters at the expense of the environment. Along with an as-yet-undecided carbon fee rate, the regulations will determine how much enterprises will be required to pay for their carbon emissions. The regulations are scheduled to be announced at the end of August after stakeholder opinions are considered and another public hearing has been held, according to the ministry. At Friday’s meeting, activists from the Environmental Rights Foundation, Taiwan Climate Action Network, Green Citizens’ Action Alliance and Citizen of the Earth expressed their opposition to the current draft regulations and some held a banner with the slogan “Low carbon fees favor enterprises, the people instead pay the climate costs!” The campaigners voiced their opposition to […]
TCAN’s Ten Carbon fee Policy Recommendations
Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment (MOENV) released its drafts for three carbon fee sub-laws in April and is expected to hold deliberation meetings in July. While the carbon fee rate deliberation committee will decide the price rate at a later date, the contents of these draft sub-laws have already affected the substantive carbon price companies will be paying, thereby limiting the role of the carbon fee as a price signal that drives companies to decarbonise. Taiwan Climate Action Network (TCAN) has thus published this policy brief to provide MOENV with suggestions on amending the three carbon fee sub-laws. We urge MOENV, relevant authorities, the industrial sector, and all stakeholders to jointly promote an effective carbon pricing policy to accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the high-emission industries, especially in manufacturing. Our ten policy recommendations cover the overall principles of the carbon fee policy, the carbon fee rate, and relevant supporting measures: Overall […]
（Taiwan Insight） Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Candidates: How Do They Fare On The Climate?
When it comes to the climate, all three candidates in Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election have emphasised the importance of taking action and committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The main driver behind this mainstreaming of climate policy is the fact that supply chain requirements have made the country’s export competitiveness highly connected to climate performance. Therefore, we must scrutinise the comprehensiveness of each candidate’s policy proposals, rather than solely relying on whether they are climate denialists, to distinguish their positions. Taiwan Climate Action Network (TCAN), a collaborative advocacy platform organised by five NGOs, has thus produced a climate commitment tracker to compare their positions on seven key climate-related policies: (1) 2030 emissions reduction target, (2) carbon pricing strategies, (3) 2030 power mix, (4) renewable energy development plan, (5) industrial decarbonisation, (6) public participation, and (7) just transition. In this article, we will focus specifically on their 2030 pledges, carbon pricing strategies, and just […]
（VOA）Exclusive: Taiwan Willing to Donate to Disaster Fund, Environment Minister Says
DUBAI — Taiwan has been blocked from participating in the COP28 climate summit, but a representative it sent to Dubai spoke with VOA on the sidelines of the talks in an exclusive interview. Environment Minister Shieu Fuh-Sheng tells VOA that Taiwan is willing to contribute to a new climate damage fund approved at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai aimed at compensating vulnerable countries in the Global South for damages they’ve experienced. Taiwan may be small with a population of 23.9 million, but its per capita emissions are among the highest in the world, surpassing giant emitters — such as China, Japan and the European Union. Fossil fuels still account for more than 80% of Taiwan’s energy mix, and most of it is imported. With the United Arab Emirates — a developing country under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) categorization — pledging $100 million […]
Press Release: Only 7% of Listed Companies Have Committed to 2050 net-zero Emissions, TCAN Warns Taiwan Will Miss Its Climate Targets.
This press release first appeared in the Green Citizens’ Action Alliance on 17/08/2023, and the key points are translated into English and republished here. · Only 7% (128) of Taiwanese listed companies have committed to net-zero by 2050, which slightly increased from 3% last year. · Although 18% (334) of listed companies have interim targets for GHG reduction, they do not make pledges to get to net-zero emission. · 75% (1300+) of listed companies have not set GHG reduction targets nor mentioned any future plan to reduce GHG emissions. · In Taiwan, there are 293 hard-to-abate companies with annual emissions more than 25 kilotons of CO2e, [1] but merely 8% (24) of them have committed to reach net-zero target by mid-century. The Taiwanese government has already committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 since 2021. Earlier this year, the amendment of “Climate Change Response Act” was finished; relevant policies and “12 […]
Development of Just Transition Policies under a Global Climate Regime
Development of Just Transition Policies under a Global Climate Regime Author：Chia-Wei Chao (Research Director, Taiwan Climate Action Network), Pei-Wei Yang (Research Assistant, Taiwan Climate Action Network) Abstract： With countries pledging to achieve net-zero emissions and accelerate the phasing-out of fossil fuels, workers and local economies in related industries will face significant changes. To proactively address such impacts and provide support through vocational training and local development planning, the United Nations has increased its focus on a just transition in the negotiation system of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Based on the author’s observations at COP27, this article outlines the implementation plan for the just transition work program under the UN system and the progress of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and examines Taiwan’s current policies on just transition. Keywords Just Transition, UNFCCC, Just Energy Transition Partnership Original webpage： Link
2023 Taiwan Industrial Net Zero Policy Recommendations
Last year, Taiwan’s National Development Council published the “Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-zero Emissions by 2050” and “12 Key Strategies” to respond the trends of 2050 net-zero goals that have been committed by many economies in the world. Based on the targets and strategies, Taiwan’s Industrial Development Bureau also proposed “Net-zero Transition Pathway of Industrial Sector by 2030” to further explain its short- and medium-term plans to drive industrial decarbonization. It is true that the Taiwanese government has made some progress regarding climate policy planning, but it is not sufficient to ensure that Taiwan meets the climate pledges. The biggest problem may be that the “12 Key Strategies” do not have a coherent action plan to decarbonize industrial sector nor innovative policy tools to encourage hard-to-abate industries to adopt low-carbon technologies — despite they produce around 40% of the country’s emissions. Instead of an ambitious industrial plan, measures to cut emissions […]