Promote Low-Carbon Industries

The global financial crisis has been a wake-up call for China to transform its economic growth pattern and to readjust its economic and energy structures. The sustainable development to which we aspire has to be based on a green and low-carbon economy.

With this knowledge, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League made the following proposals:

First, establish a plan for the development of low-carbon industries as soon as possible. The plan should specify goals for each stage of development, the measures envisioned to reach them, the fields of priority and major projects.

Second, the emphasis should be placed on the four issues of the greatest public concern -- air pollution, drinking water safety, new energies and eco-environment, and rural and urban infrastructure. Relevant measures to be taken include encouraging more use of public transport, setting strict rules on vehicle emissions, and promoting an energy management system in urban neighborhoods to collect carbon emission data.

Third, optimize the energy supply and consumption structure for greater diversity, security, cleanness and higher efficiency by increasing the share of low-carbon sources. China should promote ground- and air-source heating and cooling, solar heating, and power generation from renewable resources such as wind, biomass and sunlight; build more power plants using garbage or landfill gas; extend green coverage and consequently carbon sequestration in cities; and increase the recycle rate of urban waste.

Fourth, establish a supportive financial system for the low-carbon economy, which should include such financial tools as bank loans, direct investment and financing, carbon credit trading and futures. China should cultivate a multi-layered market of carbon credit trading, moving up and away from the low end of the value chain in the global market and securing the largest strategic interest possible.