Assessing CO2 sources and sinks in and around Taiwan: Implication for achieving regional carbon neutrality by 2050

Chin-Chang Hung; Hsueh-Han Hsieh; Wen-Chen Chou; En-Chi Liu; Chun Hoe Chow; Yi Chang; Tse-Min Lee; Peter Hans Santschi; R R M K P Ranatunga; Hernando P Bacosa; Yung-Yen Shih

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116664

Assessing CO₂ sources and sinks in and around Taiwan: Implication for achieving regional carbon neutrality by 2050

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Sep:206:116664. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116664. Epub 2024 Jul 9.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC; Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC.
² Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC.
³ Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202301, Taiwan, ROC; Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202301, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung 944401, Taiwan, ROC.
⁴ Department of Applied Science, R.O.C. Naval Academy, Kaohsiung 81345, Taiwan, ROC.
⁵ Department of Marine Environmental Informatics, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202301, Taiwan, ROC.
⁶ Graduate Institute of Marine Affairs, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC.
⁷ Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC.
⁸ Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, TX 77553, USA.
⁹ Center for Marine Science and Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
¹⁰ Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, the Philippines.
¹¹ Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Applied Science, R.O.C. Naval Academy, Kaohsiung 81345, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 38986397
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116664

Abstract

Taiwan has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the current extent of carbon sinks in Taiwan remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to first review the existing nature-based carbon sinks on land and in the oceans around Taiwan. Subsequently, we suggest potential strategies to reduce CO₂ emissions and propose carbon dioxide removal methods (CDRs). The natural carbon sinks by forests, sediments, and oceans in and around Taiwan are approximately 21.5, 42.1, and 96.8 Mt-CO₂ y^-1, respectively, which is significantly less than Taiwan's CO₂ emissions (280 Mt-CO₂ y^-1). Taiwan must consider decarbonization strategies like using electric vehicles, renewable energy, and hydrogen energy by formulating enabling policies. Besides more precisely assessing both terrestrial and marine carbon sinks, Taiwan should develop novel CDRs such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, afforestation, reforestation, biochar, seaweed cultivation, and ocean alkalinity enhancement, to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Keywords: Biological carbon pump; Carbon dioxide removal; Decarbonization; Electric vehicles; Marine CO(2) sequestration; Net zero carbon emissions; Renewable energy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carbon / analysis
Carbon Dioxide* / analysis
Carbon Sequestration*
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Forests
Oceans and Seas
Taiwan

Substances

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon