6.5 Billion Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emitted Last Year... Decrease for 2 Consecutive Years

Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center Announces '2020 National Greenhouse Gas Provisional Emissions'
10.9% Decrease Compared to Peak in 2018

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Last year, the provisional greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 650 million tons, marking a decrease for the second consecutive year since peaking in 2018.

On the 8th, the Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center under the Ministry of Environment released the "2020 National Greenhouse Gas Provisional Emissions" report containing this information.

This provisional emission figure was estimated one year ahead of the finalized statistics to establish and monitor greenhouse gas reduction policies. The center estimated greenhouse gas emissions using the 2020 Energy Monthly Report, import-export statistics, livestock trend surveys, and emissions trading system data.

A center official stated, "The provisional greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 were 648.6 million tons, a 7.3% decrease compared to the previous year's provisional figure, and a 10.9% decrease compared to the peak of 727.6 million tons in 2018. The 2020 emissions are expected to be the first case of a two-year consecutive decrease since statistics began in 1990, following 2019."

By sector, emissions in the energy and industrial process sectors decreased by 7.8% and 7.1% respectively compared to the previous year. The center analyzed that the significant reduction in the energy sector emissions was due to decreased energy consumption in industrial sectors such as power generation, chemical, and steel, as well as the transportation sector. Specifically, coal power generation decreased by 13.6% and renewable power generation increased by 12.2% in response to fine dust and climate change policies. Consequently, total power generation decreased by 1.9%, leading to an estimated reduction of 31 million tons (12.4%) in emissions from the power generation and heat production sectors compared to the previous year.

Despite a drop in fuel prices, emissions in the transportation sector decreased by 4.1% (4.1 million tons) compared to 2019 due to travel and movement restrictions caused by COVID-19 and the expansion of low-emission vehicles as part of reduction policies. Emissions in the industrial sector also declined due to reduced production volumes. Estimated decreases compared to the previous year include 3.5 million tons (7.6%) in chemicals, 2.4 million tons (2.5%) in steel, and 2.2 million tons (8.9%) in cement. Emissions in the residential sector are estimated to have increased by 0.3% compared to the previous year. In the commercial and public sectors, emissions decreased by 1.5 million tons (9.9%) compared to the previous year due to reduced city gas usage influenced by COVID-19.

With the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, emissions per gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita emissions, which indicate national greenhouse gas emission efficiency, also decreased. The "2020 emissions per 1 billion KRW of GDP" is estimated at 354 tons, the lowest figure since greenhouse gas statistics began in 1990. Per capita emissions were 12.5 tons, a 7.4% decrease compared to the previous year.

Center Director Seo Heung-won said, "As economic activities, which had been contracted due to COVID-19, recover, there is a possibility that emissions will increase again in 2021, so it is necessary to monitor closely and implement active reduction policies with vigilance." He added, "To ensure continuous emission reductions, it is essential to actively promote the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario and the enhancement of the 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction targets."

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