[New Taipei City News] New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu He-Ran led the Environmental Protection Bureau team to visit London, UK, on the 20th to hold talks with the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA). The visit involved in-depth exchanges on energy transition experiences and sharing New Taipei City's successful experiences in the coal phase-out process. Julia Skorupska, Executive Director of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, invited New Taipei City to assist other cities aiming to phase out coal by sharing successful experiences and technologies, working together to accelerate the coal phase-out process internationally. Deputy Mayor Liu He-Ran stated that New Taipei City will certainly share its relevant experiences in achieving net-zero coal phase-out and will continue to improve efforts to move forward hand in hand with the international community.
 
The meeting was warmly hosted by Julia Skorupska, Executive Director of the Powering Past Coal Alliance; Pallavi Singh, Head of Diplomatic Affairs; and Liz Wharmby, Senior Policy Advisor, with both sides engaging in in-depth discussions on the implementation details of coal phase-out and future cooperation opportunities. As a member of the alliance, New Taipei City is happy to share its own experiences with other member cities and assist in promoting global energy transition and carbon reduction goals.
 
Since becoming the first city in Taiwan to join the Powering Past Coal Alliance in 2019, New Taipei City achieved industrial coal phase-out in 2022, successfully setting a model for Taiwan's energy transition. Deputy Mayor Liu emphasized during the meeting that, as the largest city in Taiwan, New Taipei City faces many challenges in the coal phase-out transition, especially in the heavy industry sector, which has long relied on coal. To achieve the goal of a coal-free city, the city government has actively promoted a series of coal phase-out policies since 2019, including "phasing out coal-fired boilers," "converting asphalt industry fuel oil to gas," and "phasing out coal-fired cogeneration units." In addition, the city government strictly manages the emission standards of the Linkou Power Plant, promoting the gradual reduction of coal use and enhancing the application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies (CCUS) to ensure that effective carbon reduction targets are met.
 
During the meeting, both parties engaged in a lively exchange of experiences regarding the challenges and solutions in the coal phase-out process. A representative from PPCA stated that the alliance upholds the concept of "just transition," assisting coal-dependent regions in industrial transformation to safeguard the livelihoods of local workers and communities. Member cities of the alliance also shared their practical experiences in adjusting local policies and promoting clean energy transitions, emphasizing the protection of labor rights and the balancing economic and social benefits during the coal phase-out process. The alliance also hopes that New Taipei City will participate in more international cooperation, especially with Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, to promote New Taipei City's successful experiences to more countries.
 
In addition, New Taipei City's coal-free city transformation experience has attracted other countries seeking advice. As recently as the 7th of this month, the Governor of Greater Poland, Marek Woźniak, led a delegation to visit New Taipei City and exchange views with Mayor Hou You-Ih and the city government team on topics such as coal-free cities, climate change, and energy transition. As a member of the coal phase-out alliance, New Taipei City actively shares its coal phase-out experiences with Greater Poland and collaborates with Poland and other global cities on net-zero and energy transition efforts to jointly combat climate challenges.
 
The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau pointed out that in addition to actively implementing coal phase-out policies to address the challenges of climate change and achieve global net-zero emission goals, New Taipei City released the "2050 Net-Zero Pathway and Climate Action White Paper" in 2022, planning to invest NT$20 billion annually to promote low-carbon sustainable urban development. This plan covers areas such as improving energy transition efficiency, developing smart transportation, building a circular economy, and enhancing climate resilience, with specific targets such as a complete ban on single-use plastics by 2030 and the electrification of government vehicles by 2035. In the future, the city government will strengthen cooperation with international organizations, deepen exchanges with the coal phase-out alliance, and continue to promote sustainable urban development.
 
The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau emphasized that this visit deepened New Taipei City's international cooperation in coal phase-out and carbon reduction actions, showcasing New Taipei City's leadership in energy transition and solidifying its important position in global climate action. New Taipei City will continue to strive to promote more resilient climate and energy policies, creating a safer, healthier, and more livable urban environment for its citizens.