Taiwan Cement Corporation, a major Russian coal buyer in Taiwan, has announced that it will no longer purchase Russian coal.

On September 13th, Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) issued a press release stating that after discussions with the Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF), the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), and Ecodefense in June this year regarding the issue of importing Russian coal, its Hoping Power Plant will not purchase any more Russian coal once it fulfilled its last procurement contract in August this year.

In response, ERF expressed strong approval of TCC’s decision, which aligns with international human rights and environmental standards. ERF also urges other Russian coal buyers in Taiwan, especially Formosa Plastics Group, which purchased over $100 million worth of Russian coal between 2022 and 2023, to follow suit as soon as possible.

According to data provided by CREA, Russian coal imported through TCC’s Hoping Port accounted for about 17% of Taiwan’s total Russian coal imports in 2023, and approximately 6% for 2024 so far. From the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine until the end of August 2024, just over 13% of Taiwan’s imports of Russian coal went to the Hoping port where TCC’s power plant is located.  TCC’s decision to stop purchasing Russian coal is expected to significantly reduce Taiwan’s total imports of Russian coal.

Vladimir Slivyak, co-chairman of the Russian environmental group Ecodefense, expressed support for TCC’s decision, stating, “Ecodefense welcomes the decision by TCC to stop buying Russian coal. It leads to less money in the Russian state budget available for the war in Ukraine. War needs to be stopped—peace and climate action are essential for our survival.”

Similarly, Isaac Levi from CREA commented, “Fossil fuels play a key role in financing Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. CREA recommends that other companies follow TCC’s decision. Taiwan has already sent over USD 3.9 billion to Russia for coal imports. It’s time for this to end.”

As TCC noted in its press release that the ash content restriction for Hoping Power Plant is the strictest in Taiwan, at 12%, and that the company plans to apply for a relaxation of the requirements, ERF urges the government to provide as much support as possible to help TCC propose an appropriate coal mix without increasing environmental impact. The government should also continue to assist TCC in developing a net-zero and just transition pathway for the Hoping Power Plant.