Taiwan selects four districts as low-carbon national models

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has chosen four regions to serve as low carbon models. New Taipei City, Taichung City, Tainan City and Yilan County were selected because they submitted the most innovative and practicable carbon reduction plans, according to the EPA.

Each of the four proposed a distinctive plan in accordance with its environmental conditions and unique industrial and cultural characteristics, the agency said.

"Reducing emissions involves the environment, energy policy, transportation, architecture, land planning and regulations, and the four governments have shown initiative in proposing goals and measures supported by solid financial plans and cost-effectiveness analysis," the EPA said.

The proposals submitted are New Taipei City's plan for the development and use of green energy; Taichung City's idea of overhauling its transportation system and creating an industrial park dedicating to low-carbon economy; Tainan City's plan to integrate eco-tourism with its cultural and historic resources; and Yilan County's green architecture and transportation initiative aiming at environmentally-friendly lifestyle and travel to eastern Taiwan.

The four local governments are expected to reduce emissions by a combined 12 million tonnes by 2014.