Taiwan to spend $1.2 billion to cut PM2.5

TAIPEI -- Taiwan plans to spend 36.5 billion new taiwan dollars (about $1.2 billion) in the next two years to reduce air pollution.

The Taiwan authority announced it aimed to cut the density of PM2.5, airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns, by 18.2 percent to 18 micrograms per cubic meter by the end of 2019, local media reported Friday.

In addition, the project will be backed by Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), which will spend 10.1 billion new taiwan dollars, and 168.4 billion new taiwan dollars from the private sector.

Data from Taiwan's environmental protection department showed that emissions from motor vehicles was the biggest source of pollutants, taking up about one-third of the total.