Taiwan has released regulations that require 272 of its biggest emitters to report their greenhouse gas output, the first step in implementing its June climate law that also includes setting up an emissions trading scheme.

The GHG reporting requirements are directed at Taiwan’s major energy-intensive industries, including power generation, iron and steel, oil refineries and the semiconductor industry, the Taiwan Environmental Information Center said, quoting EPA officials.

Companies in those sectors that emit more than 25,000 tonnes of CO2e per year must set up GHG inventories, it said.

The 272 firms covered by the regulations make up 80% of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the energy and industry sectors.

The move is part on Taiwan’s GHG reduction and management act, adopted in June, that requires it to cut emissions 50% from 2005 levels by mid-century.

The act includes a plan to launch an emissions trading scheme to help cut emissions in the carbon-intensive economy, but there are as of yet no details on when the scheme would start.

According to BP estimates, Taiwan emitted 333 million tonnes of CO2e in 2014, 3.5% more than in 2005.

By Stian Reklev – stian@carbon-pulse.com

Not yet signed up to CP Daily? Subscribe to our free newsletter here