Lawmakers are discussing whether Taiwan should completely sanction Russian fossil fuel imports. Taiwanese lawmakers and environmental activists met virtually with Ukrainian environmental lawyer Kostiantyn Krynytskyi on Tuesday to discuss Taiwan’s current energy imports.
Krynytskyi says that buying fossil fuels like coal and oil from Russia comes at the expense of innocent Ukrainian lives. He says that since the war in Ukraine began, Taiwan has become the second largest importer of Russian coal in the world, accounting for 10% of Russia’s exports.
Krynytskyi says that Taiwan should completely sanction Russian fossil fuels because of the country’s war crimes in Ukraine.
Environmental organizations in Taiwan are also protesting Russian fossil fuel imports. They say banning imports will help the country meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Some legislators agree. Lawmaker Lin I-hua says that although Taiwan’s contract with Russia goes until the end of September, Taiwan should not wait to act.
Other lawmakers add that many countries have completely sanctioned Russian oil and coal despite the consequences, and Taiwan needs to take responsibility for the global impact of its trade.