"Multiple '2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios' to be Prepared by June... 'To be Finalized through Public Debates and Carbon Neutrality Committee'"

Ministry of Environment Announces '2021 Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plan'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has decided to finalize multiple scenarios for achieving carbon neutrality in South Korea by 2050 through a public forum by June this year.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Environment announced the '2021 Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plan' containing these details.

The Ministry of Environment plans to establish detailed greenhouse gas reduction scenarios by June this year to present the direction for 2050 carbon neutrality. A technical task force centered on national research institutes will analyze reduction potentials and prepare multiple scenario proposals for 2050 carbon neutrality by April. Subsequently, a permanent communication channel will be established with industries, civil society, and local governments to gather opinions, and after public forums and deliberations and approvals by the Carbon Neutrality Committee (to be launched), the scenarios will be finalized by June.

Based on this, the government will also develop sector-specific core policy promotion strategies of the '2050 Carbon Neutrality Promotion Strategy' announced last December in cooperation with related ministries. The Ministry of Environment plans to establish strategies for 11 out of the total 31 implementation tasks together with related ministries.

First, the 'Transportation Sector Future Vehicle Transition Strategy' will present a vision for 100% transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2050 through the promotion and innovation of zero-emission vehicles, replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, and significant expansion of zero-emission vehicle charging infrastructure. After conducting research projects and forming expert forums this month, the final strategy will be prepared in the second half of this year.

The 'Circular Economy Innovation Roadmap' is a mid- to long-term phased implementation plan (roadmap) that includes comprehensive management of resource circulation, promotion of corporate eco-friendliness for spreading circular economy implementation, and achieving circular economy in sectors such as water and energy. After conducting research projects on phased implementation of the circular economy (1st to 2nd quarter this year) and operating governance for stakeholder consultations involving government, local governments, and industry (2nd to 3rd quarter), the final plan will be announced in the 4th quarter.

The 'Nature and Ecology-based Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Adaptation Strategy,' which is a climate change response strategy utilizing natural ecosystems by restoring and expanding carbon sinks and maximizing ecosystem functions such as climate regulation, will be finalized by the end of this year following research projects and sectoral academic conferences.

Additionally, the government will pursue an upward revision of the '2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC)' (currently a 24.4% reduction compared to 2017 levels). Based on the 2050 carbon neutrality scenarios, the level of increase will be determined through consultations with related ministries and social discussions, aiming to submit it to the United Nations within this government’s term.

Alongside this, the Ministry of Environment plans to promote sectoral tasks such as energy transition, future vehicles (mobility), carbon-neutral buildings, and zero-waste circular economy based on the implementation system including scenario and core strategy establishment. The ministry will expand the supply of renewable energy utilizing environmental resources such as floating solar power, hydrothermal energy, and offshore wind power, achieve the era of 300,000 zero-emission vehicles, establish convenient zero-emission vehicle charging infrastructure, and prepare a long-term strategy for carbon neutrality in the transportation sector by 2050. It will also promote proactive carbon neutrality realization in public institutions (such as public buildings) for carbon neutrality.

The Ministry of Environment plans to strengthen climate impact reviews on major policies and development projects and introduce climate change impact assessments.

Evaluation procedures will be established to consider greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts when implementing major national plans and development projects, and legal grounds will be established within this year to fully implement this in 2022. The ministry also plans to attend the World Climate Summit to be held by the U.S. government this year and strengthen Korea-U.S. carbon neutrality environmental cooperation.

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae said, "As the leading ministry for carbon neutrality, the Ministry of Environment will establish the implementation foundation for carbon neutrality and promote transitions across all sectors of society."

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