Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 through the 'Jongno-style Green New Deal' to Address the Climate Crisis

932 Billion KRW Invested by 2022 for 'Jongno-style Green New Deal' Implementation ▲Green Buildings ▲Green Transport ▲Green Energy ▲Green Waste ▲Green Forests ▲Green Practices ▲Green Education: 7 Strategies, 40 Projects 추진

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) announced a goal to respond to the climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality (Net-Zero) by 2050 by investing 93.2 billion KRW by 2022 to implement 40 greenhouse gas reduction projects under the seven strategic areas of the ‘Jongno-type Green New Deal.’

The Jongno-type Green New Deal strategy focuses on seven key areas: ▲Green Buildings ▲Green Transportation ▲Green Energy ▲Green Waste ▲Green Forests ▲Green Practices ▲Green Education, aiming not only to respond to economic and climate crises but also to create a sustainable Jongno where people and nature coexist.

The core of this strategy is to proactively reduce emissions from buildings (85%), waste (5%), and transportation (4%), which account for about 94% of the district’s greenhouse gas emissions and are considered the three main culprits.

The district plans to expand urban forests to absorb emitted greenhouse gases and simultaneously accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

First, the ‘building sector,’ which accounts for an overwhelming 85% of Jongno-gu’s greenhouse gas emissions, will undergo a fundamental transformation into energy-efficient green buildings. By 2022, green remodeling will begin on 18 aging public buildings frequently used by vulnerable groups such as senior centers and daycare centers, raising their energy efficiency to the level of zero-energy buildings (buildings where energy consumption equals energy production) through matching funds from national and city governments. Facilities for fine dust prevention, infectious disease control, and protection of the elderly will also be expanded to greatly improve user convenience.

Next, the plan is to replace all vehicles with eco-friendly electric and hydrogen vehicles by 2050. Jongno-gu’s official vehicles will phase out diesel vehicles by 2025 and be fully replaced with eco-friendly vehicles, while the private sector will promote the spread of eco-friendly vehicles through purchase subsidies and incentives.

Additionally, to build infrastructure where drivers can charge their vehicles anytime they need, the district will identify and provide sites to actively encourage private sector investment.

To reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy, solar panels will be installed on all public buildings by 2050. For private buildings, the Seoul Solar Citizen Exploration Team will be utilized to identify suitable sites, and installation will be expanded through subsidy support, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources.

The district aims to realize a ‘circular economy’ that fundamentally reduces waste generation and recycles generated waste. Although the waste sector accounts for about 5% of local greenhouse gas emissions, proactive measures are crucial due to expected increases from factors such as the rise of single-person households and the delivery culture boosted by COVID-19.

By 2022, the district will strengthen education and publicity aimed at establishing correct citizen awareness and culture regarding recycling to achieve a 70% recycling rate of disposable products.

To achieve zero carbon emissions, it is important not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to ‘absorb’ emitted greenhouse gases, so the district will focus on expanding forests and parks. It plans to create 4.46 million square meters of urban forest for climate change response and complete the planting of ‘3 million trees’ by 2050.

Furthermore, Jongno-gu will implement various policies to foster resident empathy and participation in responding to climate change, such as practicing a reduction of one ton of greenhouse gases per person, operating eco-mileage programs, running environmental schools, and nurturing green leaders to lead climate change response projects.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “In line with the government’s Green New Deal promotion and Seoul’s declaration as a carbon-neutral city by 2050, Jongno-gu will actively implement the ‘Jongno-type Green New Deal’ to create a sustainable green city where people and nature coexist,” and added, “We ask for the residents’ great interest and active participation.”

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