Changwon City, Steadily Preparing to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050

The Goal is Transition to a City of Eco-Friendly Energy, Eco-Friendly Transportation, and Eco-Friendly Buildings

Changwon City Hall Exterior View

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Changwon City in Gyeongnam presented the core policy directions of the ‘Local Government Carbon Neutrality Action Alliance’ last July, amid declarations of carbon neutrality by South Korea and countries around the world by 2050.

Changwon City's greenhouse gas emissions amount to 9.84 million tons. The city aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through a 50% reduction by transitioning to eco-friendly energy, 20% reduction by switching to eco-friendly transportation, 15% reduction by converting to eco-friendly buildings, 5% reduction in waste, and expanding carbon sinks by 10%.

The city plans to establish the ‘Changwon City 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap’ this year, tailored to the region’s characteristics of high greenhouse gas emissions.

To devise concrete implementation measures, a ‘Climate Crisis Response Committee’ of up to 20 members, including administration, council members, experts, and civic groups, will be formed.

Additionally, regular meetings with environmental organizations such as the Gyeongnam Climate Crisis Emergency Action and a carbon neutrality policy advisory group will be operated.

Citizen participation in low-carbon green living will be expanded through projects such as creating carbon-neutral model villages, eco-friendly green apartment initiatives, and carbon point system membership competitions.

Alongside this, the city will promote nine fine dust and greenhouse gas reduction projects, including early scrapping of old diesel vehicles and support for installing prevention facilities in small and medium enterprises, as well as ten climate change response and adaptation projects such as the Cool Pavement (heat-reflective pavement for sidewalks, etc.) pilot project, Cool Roof (application of heat-reflective coating on building rooftops) project, and mini solar power installation support project.

A total budget of 16.7 billion KRW will be invested this year, expected to reduce 173,885 tons of greenhouse gases.

Lee Jeong-geun, Director of the Environment and Urban Bureau, stated, “Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is not easy, but it is a goal we must realize,” and added, “We ask for active citizen participation in responding to the climate crisis by adjusting heating and cooling temperatures, using bicycles for short distances, and unplugging unused electrical plugs.”

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