Incheon City Achieves 55.4% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Public Sector... Expected to Rank First Among Metropolitan Cities for 6 Consecutive Years

Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun is holding the 'Coal Phase-out Treasury Declaration Ceremony' with the eight districts and taking a commemorative photo with the district heads. 2020.12.14 [Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City reported that, according to the analysis of last year's 'Public Sector Greenhouse Gas and Energy Target Management System' performance, it reduced 55.4% compared to the baseline emissions (average greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 to 2009) of 33,634 tons, achieving a reduction of 18,648 tons.

This represents an additional 4.3% reduction compared to the previous year's reduction rate of 51.1%, exceeding the Ministry of Environment's target of a 30% reduction (10,090 tons) from the baseline emissions by 8,558 tons.

The Public Sector Greenhouse Gas and Energy Target Management System was introduced in 2011 based on the 'Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth.' It is a system where four ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, annually check the performance of 782 institutions such as central government, local governments, public institutions, and national and public universities against their annual reduction targets relative to baseline emissions.

Incheon City, covering 43 locations including the city hall, affiliated agencies, and business offices, achieved first place nationwide among 243 local governments for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017, being recognized as an excellent institution in greenhouse gas reduction.

Subsequently, in 2018 and 2019, Incheon ranked second among local governments nationwide and first among metropolitan governments for two consecutive years, and was recognized as a top institution in reduction rates among organizations emitting over 10,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually. This year, it expects to maintain its first-place status among metropolitan governments for six consecutive years.

Incheon City reduced 11,922 tons through measures such as turning off lights, complying with heating and cooling temperature regulations, banning single-use items in government buildings, and implementing a two-day vehicle use system for employees. Additionally, it achieved a further reduction of 6,726 tons through facility improvements such as installing renewable energy power facilities, replacing with high-efficiency LED lighting equipment, and implementing the Carbon Point System.

Alongside these efforts, last year Incheon participated in climate action by operating a public-private climate change response working group, joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), and declaring a joint coal phase-out treasury with Incheon City and eight autonomous districts, expressing its commitment to coal phase-out.

An Incheon City official stated, "We will take the lead in realizing carbon neutrality by 2050 by establishing the '2050 Incheon City Carbon Neutrality Strategy Service,' presenting concrete mid- to long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, and achieving more systematic implementation and management."

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