Launch of the Carbon Neutral Local Governments Action Alliance

Dobong-gu, Mobilizing District Capabilities for Carbon Neutrality (Net-Zero) by 2050 in Response to the New Climate Regime

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, attended the ‘Carbon Neutral Local Governments Action Alliance Inauguration Ceremony’ held at the COEX ASEM Ballroom Home on the 7th and declared the cooperation and commitment of local governments to achieve carbon neutrality (Net Zero) by 2050.

‘Carbon Neutrality (Net Zero)’ refers to a state where the net greenhouse gas emissions become ‘0’ by reducing emissions and increasing absorption through the spread of renewable energy, establishment of energy-efficient systems, and restoration of ecological environments in response to the climate crisis.

Already, centered on global environmental cities and advanced countries, a bottom-up climate action movement is spreading, with local governments and companies voluntarily declaring carbon neutrality as the final model of low-carbon policies ahead of the full-scale transition to the new climate regime.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by 37 heads of nationwide metropolitan and basic local governments aiming to play a leading role in responding to climate change. It began with congratulatory speeches by Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the National Climate and Environment Council, and Cho Myung-rae, Minister of Environment, and a keynote speech by Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan City, followed by ▲the Carbon Neutral Local Governments Action Alliance Inauguration and Declaration Ceremony ▲a business agreement ceremony between the Ministry of Environment and local governments ▲and a commemorative photo session.

In addition, discussions were held on the cooperative relationship between the central government and local governments to respond to the climate crisis, including the establishment of greenhouse gas reduction targets and phased implementation plans for basic local governments, carbon neutrality support projects, and sharing of excellent domestic cases.

Dobong-gu joined the ‘Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)’ in 2019 to participate in responding to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing urban resilience.

In particular, starting with joining the Carbon Neutral Local Governments Action Alliance in May this year, Dobong-gu showed strong determination to play a leading role in responding to the climate crisis and to build cooperative relationships among local governments by participating in the ‘Republic of Korea Basic Local Governments Climate Crisis Emergency Declaration Ceremony’ and the ‘Climate Crisis Response and Energy Transition Local Governments Council’ held at the National Assembly Main Conference Room on June 5.

So far, the district has actively expressed interest and willingness to practice the Green New Deal policy, which has become an issue as an environmentally friendly economic model for future society.

In various fields such as social economy, urban regeneration, community building, and food banks, along with sharing economy policies, Dobong-gu has led the creation of green jobs through discovering various projects for environmental and ecological conservation and climate change response, including ▲operation of the Dobong Environmental Education Center, a regional environmental education hub facility ▲Dobong-gu flagship species and biodiversity conservation projects ▲environmental promotion and education projects.

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, stated, “To achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, above all, it is important that we all have the courage to willingly accept inconveniences to overcome the climate crisis,” and added, “We will focus all our capabilities to establish the necessary policy direction early and to produce meaningful results to lead the spread of climate actions among residents, who are the main agents of greenhouse gas reduction.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.