Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum: "Carbon Neutrality Must Achieve a 'Just Transition' Where No One Is Left Behind"

2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee 1st Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 29th, "In the transition to a carbon-neutral society, careful consideration and inclusion must be ensured so that no one is excluded or left behind in a 'Just Transition.'"

At the first meeting of the '2050 Carbon Neutral Committee' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day, Prime Minister Kim said, "We must not overlook the fact that change and innovation may involve growing pains." The Presidential Committee on Carbon Neutrality serves as the control tower for the government's '2050 Carbon Neutrality' related policies. Prime Minister Kim and Professor Yoon Soon-jin of Seoul National University Graduate School of Environmental Studies serve as co-chairs.

Prime Minister Kim stated, "The fundamental causes of COVID-19, which has changed our daily lives, frequent heatwaves and floods, and fine dust are environmental destruction and climate change," adding, "Major countries are already actively responding to the climate crisis." He explained that after the European Union declared carbon neutrality, the United States, China, and Japan joined, and that the European Union and the United States are considering introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment system to encourage other countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

He continued, "Global companies are also competing to declare ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), which prioritizes the environment in management, and RE100 (Renewable Energy 100), which uses only renewable energy in corporate activities," adding, "Our government is also actively participating in global efforts."

Prime Minister Kim said, "Along with the implementation of carbon neutrality, the economic structure and daily life will undergo revolutionary changes," adding, "Renewable energy will become the main energy supply source, and various new industries aiming for eco-friendliness and resource circulation will become new growth engines." He further expressed expectations that "eco-friendly mobility such as electric and hydrogen vehicles will become widespread, and residential spaces will be transformed into zero-energy buildings that are self-sufficient in energy."

Addressing experts in climate, energy, and technology fields, as well as representatives from civil society, youth, industry, and labor participating in the Carbon Neutral Committee, Prime Minister Kim urged, "Please become the focal point of carbon neutrality policies, coordinate opinions from various sectors, and gather diverse ideas."

He also called on government officials, saying, "Carbon neutrality will only be possible through creative technology development and industrial innovation," and requested, "Please take the lead in bold support and institutional improvements to accelerate energy transition, carbon absorption technology development, and the creation of new industrial ecosystems."

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