Self-management of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in Taichung Port, Taiwan

A self-management approach and committee were established in Taichung Port to facilitate the control of the total quantity of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions from various sources in the port district. This self-management approach was the first approved case by the Environmental Protection Bureau of Taichung City. The district has a land area of 37.93 km2 and a sea area of 2035.75 km2, and it is divided into various zones, namely heavy industry, export processing, and harbor zones according to the difference of based on differences in land use. The approach includes an inventory and actions to reduce carbon levels and air pollutants. The year 2014 was defined as the base year of emissions; however, some of the emission benchmark values were changed in 2015 or 2016 because more accurate inventory results became available during those years. A self-management committee comprising a general manager, departmental directors, and experts/scholars was formed in 2015. In the self-management approach, nine main reduction strategies and three actions to offset GHG and air pollutants were continually enforced. The results demonstrate that the environmental protection to facilitate the development of a green port is workable. Following the successful experience of Taichung Port, the self-management method was adopted in other industries and areas in Taichung City, a special municipality.