OMNI Features｜The Stockholm Central Low Emission Zone Has Been Approved By the EU to Ban Gasoline And Diesel Vehicles by 2025．Ecuador's Energy Crisis Has Prompted The President To Declare A State Of Emergency．Taiwan has Made Significant Strides in Reducing Shopping Plastic Usage Over 22 Years

｜The Stockholm Central Low Emission Zone Has Been Approved By the EU to Ban Gasoline And Diesel Vehicles by 2025
The European Commission has approved the implementation of a three-level low-emission zone that prohibits the driving of petrol or diesel vehicles in the central area of Stockholm, which will be the first city in the world to ban the driving of gasoline and diesel vehicles in parts of the city center. The area includes nearly 20 blocks surrounded by major roads such as Kungsgatan, Birger Jarlsgatan, Hamngatan, and Sveavägen. Only electric vehicles and low-emission gas-fired vehicles are allowed to enter, while low-emission hybrid vehicles are allowed to drive during peak traffic hours. The new law will come into force on December 31 this year.

｜Ecuador's Energy Crisis Has Prompted The President To Declare A State Of Emergency
Ecuador, a South American country, has once again entered a state of emergency due to an energy crisis. After President Nopoa took office in November last year, he recently declared an energy emergency and implemented power cuts, but the power cuts were suspended because of a referendum to be held on the 21st. According to the order issued on the official website of the Presidential Office on the 20th, during the 60-day state of emergency, Nopoa deployed the army and police to protect the energy infrastructure to guarantee the continuity of public electricity services.

｜Taiwan has Made Significant Strides in Reducing Shopping Plastic Usage Over the Past 22 Years
On the 21st, the Ministry of Environment disclosed that Taiwan has been actively promoting plastic restrictions since 2002. In that year, approximately 20 billion plastic bags were used for shopping, a figure that significantly declined to just over 9 billion last year. Moving forward, Taiwan aims to broaden the scope of plastic restrictions with the goal of implementing a ban and imposing limits on plastic usage, ultimately reducing plastic production by 2030. Environment Minister Xue Fu-Sheng emphasized that while these measures are anticipated to impact various industries and daily life, Taiwan is committed to aligning with global efforts. He highlighted the forthcoming announcement of the Global Plastics Treaty by year-end, affirming Taiwan's commitment to responsibly engage as an international participant.

Reference: The International Trade Administration, MOEA (TITA)｜CNA