Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is the objective of Taiwan and most countries in the world. Water Resources Agency (WRA) is actively participating in net zero transformation, and formulated specific carbon reduction objectives for each year based on the average total carbon emissions from 2019 to 2021. The goal is to achieve long-term net zero emissions through the reduction of engineering carbon emission, increase of tree planting for carbon sequestration and green energy.
In response to the 2050 net zero emissions objective, Water Resources Agency has proposed the following three major responsive measures:
- Carbon reduction of hydraulic engineering to head towards net zero emissions:
Through the original carbon budget management method, we promote a systematic carbon reduction mechanism and formulate carbon reduction strategies at each stage of the project life cycle (i.e. planning, design, construction, and operation), including low-carbon construction methods, carbon reduction design, use of green recycled materials, refined construction specifications, and environmental creation to sequester carbon, etc., to accurately implement total carbon emission control. At the same time, in order to improve the effectiveness of carbon reduction, we continue to integrate and promote green transformation (GX) and digital transformation (DX), introduce technological capabilities, implement 2050 net zero emissions, and contribute to the global net zero movement.
- Strengthening land afforestation to increase carbon sequestration effectiveness:
In response to the net-zero policy, the Water Resources Agency has adopted a variety of tree planting methods through various engineering projects. By the end of 2013, the tree planting area had exceeded 580 hectares, with an annual carbon reduction of approximately 5,000 CO2e. In addition, in order to track and check the carbon reduction effect of tree planting and create momentum, we promoted tree planting projects such as "Dongpurui River landscaping field" and "Beiyuan Park of Shimen Reservoir", completing the country's first tree planting carbon sequestration project and the first cooperation with enterprises to promote tree planting carbon sequestration projects.
- Reservoir hydropower to support green energy network:
WRA refine the delicate high water level operations in reservoirs, instantly review water-saving dispatch measures depending on water conditions, and adjust power generation without wasting water resources to support the green energy power supply network. WRA also cooperates with Taiwan Power Company, Taiwan Water Corporation, and private sectors to promote small hydropower systems to increase power generation capacity. So far, a total of 16 sites with 29.51 MW have been promoted, which are expected to generate an additional 2.94 MW by 2025 in order to achieve the optimal synergy of energy saving, green power, and carbon reduction.
