Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-04-13

Premier Lin Chuan has announced a plan that seeks to significantly cut air pollution by

Air pollution over the southern city of Kaohsiung on March 3. The south is one of the areas of Taiwan that is most susceptible to air pollution. (CNA file photo)

the end of 2019.

The plan has set a goal of reducing levels of PM2.5 particulate matter by 18.2% before the target date. The government also hopes to slash the number of red alerts for air quality it puts out in winter. This is a time when Taiwan is especially susceptible to pollution. The plan aims to cut the number of red alerts by 47%.

The premier said Thursday that NT$36.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) has been earmarked to tackle air pollution. The plan includes programs to reduce pollution from boilers, curb the burning of straw in rice fields, and set standards for exhaust filtration systems in restaurants. It also discourages the tradition of burning paper “spirit money” in religious rites.
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