Environment Minister Han Jeong-ae: "The Public Sector Must Lead 'Carbon Neutrality in Water Management'"

'Water Industry Innovation Strategy Meeting' Held at Daegu Water Industry Cluster

Minister Han Jeong-ae of the Ministry of Environment. (Photo by archive)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment, stated on the 13th, "The public sector must take the lead in carbon neutrality and the digital transformation of social structures in the water management field."

Minister Han attended the 'Water Industry Innovation Strategy Meeting' held at the Water Industry Cluster in Daegu and said, "The water management sector has a large public share, making it the optimal field to boldly and swiftly implement government policies and verify their effectiveness."

At the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Environment, industry, academia, and civic groups discussed each institution's innovation strategies in the water industry and strategies for bold public-led implementation of 2050 carbon neutrality and rapid economic and social structural transformation in the water management sector.

The Ministry of Environment presented the vision of "Carbon Neutrality Made Together, Water Environment Enjoyed Together" for achieving 2050 carbon neutrality and digital transformation in water management, proposing the promotion strategies of "Leadership, Speed, and Cooperation." Specifically, it introduced four key focus areas: ▲ fostering new renewable energy related to water and reducing carbon ▲ establishing a foundation for digital and regionally specialized water industry development ▲ strengthening research and development (R&D) for carbon neutrality and digital transformation ▲ and institutional improvements to establish an innovation foundation.

Before the meeting, the Ministry of Environment held a ceremony to select and award certificates to the 2nd batch of innovative water companies to foster water companies with growth potential. Ten companies, including Daehan Environment, The Opo, Donghae, and Samjin Precision, designated as innovative water companies, will receive up to 400 million KRW per company over the next five years (2021?2025) to support innovative technology development and advancement, overseas expansion of innovative technologies, and overseas market development.

Minister Han said, "Facilities related to water treatment, such as water supply and sewage, consume a lot of energy, highlighting the global importance of improving energy efficiency of facilities and optimal operation through smart technologies." She added, "As the host country of the '2021 Seoul Green Future Summit (P4G)' to be held in Seoul for two days starting on the 30th, we will spare no support to enable the domestic water industry to become a future core industry leading carbon neutrality and the Green New Deal with global competitiveness."

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