Background
To reduce the impacts of climate change on the natural environment and human society, climate scientists have urged human to control the global temperature rise to within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. Achieving this global goal requires the world to reach the goal of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. Taiwan's annual greenhouse gas emissions are about 300 million tons of CO2 equivalent, with nearly 90% coming from fuel combustion in the energy sector. However, the annual CO2 removal capacity from carbon sinks is only around 20 million tons of CO2 equivalent. If Taiwan really wants to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, it is important to replace current energy sources with zero-emission alternatives, especially clean electricity.
Facing such an enormous challenge, current technologies, even with further advancements or scaled-up deployment, are inadequate to achieve the goal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for Taiwan to adopt emerging net-zero innovative technologies. It is now crucial to identify and select key technologies, allocate substantial research and development resources, and collaborate across sectors. Only through such efforts can Taiwan break the bottleneck to use alternative energy by 2050.
In November 2022, Academia Sinica released its "Policy Recommendations for Taiwan's Net-Zero Technology Research and Development," which highlighted the importance of developing zero-carbon electricity as Taiwan's top priority for the net-zero transition. The same document also urged the government to rapidly promote the development of five major net-zero technologies that, although still in early stages, offer significant decarbonization benefits. The five technologies include methane pyrolysis power generation (MPTP), geothermal energy, marine energy, high-efficiency photovoltaics, and biomass carbon sinks. Academia Sinica also launched its Net-Zero Technology Research and Development Program, dedicating resources to developing these five key technologies. Academic Sinica aims to leverage its expertise and that of the broader academic community to provide scientific solutions for Taiwan's net-zero emissions goal, fulfilling its important social responsibility.
Net-Zero Technologies Recommended by Academia Sinica
Collaborating partners
To mobilize Taiwan’s R&D efforts, Academia Sinica has invited universities, research institutions, relevant government agencies, juridical persons, and state-owned enterprises across Taiwan to join in the program. It is our hope to integrate cross-sectoral resources and expertise to accelerate the R&D process.
Collaborating partners of Academia Sinica include:
- Universities and Colleges: Ming Chi University of Technology, National Central University, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan Ocean University, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Tsing Hua University, and National Taiwan Normal University.
- Enterprises and Research Institutions: CPC Corporation, Taiwan Power Company, Linde LienHwa Industrial Gases Co., LTD, Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) of the National Institute of Applied Research Laboratories, Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC), Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Taiwan Livestock Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, and CR Classification Society.
- Overseas Enterprises and Academic/Research Institutions: Climate Foundation, NG, Geothermal and Energy Research and Development Co (GERD) and Princeton University.