Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (274 Units) Highest in Seoul... Seongdong-gu Takes Initiative to 'Protect the Earth's Temperature at 1.5 Degrees'

Climate Change Response Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project 'Protecting Global Temperature 1.5℃' Launched... Setting 40% Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target by 2030, Declaring Achievement of Carbon Neutral City

Smart Electric Vehicle Charger Installed at Doseon-dong Public Parking Lot

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is promoting the greenhouse gas reduction project "Protecting the Earth's Temperature at 1.5℃" in response to serious climate changes occurring worldwide, such as prolonged monsoons, infectious disease outbreaks, and wildfires.

According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report, if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current level, the average annual temperature will rise by more than 4℃ in the latter half of the 21st century. Therefore, it emphasized the need to reduce greenhouse gases as much as possible by 2030 to limit the average temperature increase to 1.5℃.

In response, the district is making comprehensive efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, the biggest cause of climate change, and declared the achievement of a "2030 Carbon Neutral City" with a goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 40% by 2030.

First, it is accelerating the creation of an "Eco-friendly Vehicle Platform." Since distributing one electric vehicle can reduce greenhouse gases by 2 tons annually compared to internal combustion vehicles, replacing just 10% of the district's vehicles can reduce 21,056 tons of greenhouse gases annually.

Accordingly, the district is focusing on installing essential infrastructure for electric vehicle distribution, such as electric vehicle chargers. This year, eight rapid chargers and 139 outlet-type chargers will be additionally installed, bringing the total number of chargers in the area to 274, the highest among Seoul's autonomous districts. As a result, the number of registered electric vehicles increased by 416 units in seven months, from 586 in January 2020 to 1,002 by the end of August.

In the future, electric vehicle chargers will be installed in all public buildings, and public vehicles will be converted to 100% eco-friendly vehicles in line with replacement schedules. Bold infrastructure development will begin in the public sector, and various measures will be explored to encourage voluntary participation from the private sector, including apartment complexes and knowledge industry centers.

The district has established a "Seongdong-gu Climate Change Response Mid- to Long-term Plan" through research services by specialized institutions to identify practical tasks and formed a Climate Crisis Response TF team. It is setting sector-specific climate change damage prevention measures, such as establishing an infectious disease response system to prepare for climate change and strengthening flood damage reduction capabilities, and devising realistic response plans that local governments can implement.

A district official stated, "Starting in December, based on the judgment that bold sharing of pain is necessary to slow global warming, the public sector will take the lead by implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gases, such as a two-shift system for public parking lots, limiting heating and cooling, and reducing disposable products." The official added, "We will also operate resident education programs such as 'Online Green Leader Training' and 'Climate Change Classes for Elementary and Middle School Students' to improve awareness and strengthen practice among residents."

Additionally, the district is making efforts to expand the greenhouse gas absorption function by strengthening carbon offset activities, such as creating "Fine Dust Blocking Forests" and "Climate Change Safety Green Zones," and establishing green zones using leftover spaces like wall and rooftop greening.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "We will take the lead from local governments to catch both the Green New Deal and climate change response in line with government policies." He added, "Especially for the successful promotion of the Seongdong-type Green New Deal, we will do our best to create a green transition city and a carbon-neutral city. I believe that when the greenhouse gas reduction effects become visible in 10 to 20 years, it will be a source of pride for our generation who endured the inconveniences."

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