Taiwan plans to establish air quality center to improve pollution response

Taipei, March 15 (CNA) Taiwan's Environment Ministry has drafted plans to establish a dedicated air quality monitoring and forecasting center to strengthen pollution forecasting and response efforts, according to a written report submitted to the Legislature this week.

In light of growing concerns over hazardous air, the ministry's proposal, set to be discussed at a legislative session on Monday, aims to improve the accuracy of air quality predictions and implement proactive measures to mitigate pollution before it reaches critical levels.

The ministry also hopes that smart environmental management for air pollution will promote sustainable net-zero goals and foster the development of intelligent green energy.

This move comes after two significant pollution incidents in the past month -- between Feb. 25 and 28 and again from March 10 to 12 -- raised public concern over air quality management.

According to the ministry, Taiwan has experienced seasonal shifts in air dispersion patterns, with weakening cold high-pressure systems from the north causing longer periods of stagnant air over western regions. Without strong winds to disperse pollutants, airborne particles accumulate, leading to worsening air quality.

In response to recent air pollution incidents, the ministry coordinated with local and central government agencies to reduce emissions from major power plants, including those in Keelung, Taichung, Yunlin and Kaohsiung, resulting in a combined reduction equivalent to 66 days' worth of electricity use in New Taipei.

For long-term improvements, the government is collaborating with experts to integrate global best practices into Taiwan's air quality strategy, while the upcoming white paper on air quality policy will outline further regulatory and technological initiatives, it said.