Green New Deal, Following Greenpeace's Proposal... "Climate Protection Must Be Included in Economic Recovery Strategy"

Letter Urging President Moon to Introduce... Government Responds with "Thorough Review"

President Moon Jae-in. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It has been revealed that the international environmental organization Greenpeace sent a letter urging President Moon Jae-in to adopt Korea's Green New Deal immediately after the ruling party's landslide victory in the 'April 15 general election.' As President Moon instructed four related ministries to create jobs through the 'Green New Deal,' there are concerns that Greenpeace's letter may have influenced the decision-making process.

Greenpeace disclosed on the 14th that it had sent a confidential letter urging the adoption of the Green New Deal to President Moon on the 17th of last month. Jennifer Morgan, Secretary-General of Greenpeace International, stated in the letter, "By promoting the Green New Deal as a core task of the economic stimulus plan, it is possible to simultaneously achieve a transition to an eco-friendly industrial structure and create quality jobs," adding, "We hope Korea will demonstrate the leadership it showed during the COVID-19 crisis in responding to the climate crisis to secure a safe future for humanity."

In response, Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae conveyed a reply addressed to Secretary-General Morgan to the Greenpeace Seoul office on the 11th. In his reply, Minister Cho said, "Regarding the legislative promotion of the Green New Deal pledge and the preparation of economic recovery strategies, the Ministry of Environment is deeply reviewing related policies with the view that climate protection must be considered," and added, "We will strive to ensure that climate and environmental issues are treated as important in the economic recovery process in the post-COVID-19 era."

The following day (the 12th), President Moon instructed the ministers of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to submit a report on job creation through the Green New Deal by as early as this weekend or by next week at the latest during the Cabinet meeting. The ministries are hurriedly preparing measures in response to the sudden presidential directive. A government official said, "We have not yet received specific details officially," adding, "We will begin drafting the report after detailed consultations with the working-level departments."

Greenpeace explained that the Green New Deal is a national project aimed at creating jobs and resolving economic and social inequalities by investing large-scale finances in eco-friendly businesses such as ▲100% renewable energy transition ▲carbon net-zero by 2050 ▲electric vehicle transition.

Greenpeace stated, "If the Moon Jae-in administration adopts the Green New Deal, the Korean economy is expected to transition from a fossil fuel-dependent structure to a sustainable economy and strengthen future industrial competitiveness," and argued, "Considering the scale and scope of the project, it is a feasible project only if not only the Ministry of Environment but also the Blue House Policy Office, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups work together."

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