According to officials, around 270 firms responsible for more than half of Taiwan’s greenhouse gas pollution have decided to supply emission data to the federal government to assit it introduce a carbon offset scheme.

A spokesperson from EPA said that Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration passed rules on Sept. 10 in which firms were asked to supply emission data required to unveil a carbon trading platform by year’s end.

The country plans to begin cutting emissions in 2010 as it bids to join the United Nations Kyoto climate pact, despite opposition from China. It also faces growing loud protests at home against polluters that have helped the $416 billion economy for decades.

While talking to media, Chien said, “Companies know that to do this early on will find it’s to their advantage early on.”

Leading CO2 polluters on the wealthy island are led by affected exports as well as include Taiwan Cement, Taiwan Power and Formosa Plastics.

However, Taiwan has announced to reduce CO2 emission to 2005 levels by 2020, with country’s President pledging further cuts through to 2050. The federal government is trying to establish a chain of low-carbon villages by 2011.