[Q&A] Yoon Soon-jin, Chair of the Carbon Neutrality Committee, "Whether to Retain Coal Power Plants Is a Key Issue... In-Depth Discussions Underway"

Yoon Soon-jin, Chair of the Carbon Neutrality Committee, is responding to questions during the 'Briefing on the Schedule for Establishing the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenario and Other Current Issues' on the 1st.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Yoon Soon-jin, a private member of the Carbon Neutrality Committee, stated on the 1st, "Whether to maintain coal power plants is a very important issue and is being addressed within the committee."

On the same day, Yoon said at the '2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenario Establishment Schedule and Current Issues Briefing' held at the Government Seoul Office, "A specialized committee has been formed to discuss how to decide the committee's stance on this matter (whether to maintain coal power plants)."

Yoon explained, "The coal-fired power plants currently causing issues are private projects under construction," adding, "If projects that have already received permits are to be halted or abolished, the committee must also examine what legal and institutional efforts are required."

The following are key excerpts from a Q&A session between Yoon and the press corps.

▲ The draft carbon neutrality scenario did not include many citizen proposals discussed at the National Climate and Environment Meeting, such as the timing of coal phase-out and internal combustion engine phase-out. What is the reason?

= The technical working group's draft scenario mainly focused on the future centered around the target year 2050, so it did not sufficiently include detailed transition processes and timings by sector and policy, as proposed by citizens at the National Climate and Environment Meeting. The committee views issues such as whether to maintain coal power and the transition to eco-friendly vehicles as important topics and is conducting in-depth discussions. A committee proposal will be derived through careful review in the future. If the committee draws more detailed plans for specific years such as 2030 and 2040, these contents may be included.

▲ Due to various complaints, half of local governments have introduced ordinances restricting solar power installations. How will sites for renewable energy be secured following the upward revision of the 2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC)?

= Renewable energy is said to have a lower energy density compared to existing fossil fuels or nuclear power, meaning it requires more land. However, we expect to secure sites by improving location regulation systems and enhancing systems for resident participation and benefit sharing. Usable farmland, idle land, especially national and public land, buildings, and offshore areas are considered priority candidates. For renewable energy to expand in these spaces, various considerations such as laws, institutional frameworks, location conditions, and resident acceptance are necessary. Showing a future image within the limits of current laws and systems is insufficient. I personally believe that more active resident participation and benefit-sharing systems, and beyond that, securing social consensus and agreement on why we must move toward a carbon-neutral society, will form the foundation of resident acceptance and national consensus, enabling more relaxed site regulations.

▲ What do you think is necessary to strengthen the role and responsibility of the committee?

= The most important thing is the enactment of the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act (tentative name). Establishing such a legal basis is crucial. When there is a legal basis, the possibility of continuity even when administrations change is much higher. Currently, the Carbon Neutrality Committee is based on the Presidential Decree titled 'Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee.' Discussions on enacting a basic law in the National Assembly have been delayed. Because it was difficult to properly promote important matters such as establishing the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario and the 2030 national reduction target through governance bodies, the committee was launched based on a presidential decree. We expect that if the National Assembly actively discusses and enacts a basic law like the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act, the committee's status as a legally based organization will be strengthened, and its roles and responsibilities will become clearer, allowing it to operate sustainably and responsibly.

▲ The National Assembly is discussing whether to use the concept of green growth in the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act. What is your opinion on this?

= In fact, the committee does not have the authority to decide on this. As you know, the authority to enact laws lies with the National Assembly. Therefore, I hope the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly will have more in-depth discussions and sufficiently consult on whether to use this concept. I doubt there is any government in the world that can give up the concept of growth. Even the European Union (EU), which is exemplary in responding to the climate crisis and actively promoting the Green Deal, announced the 'Green Deal' as a new growth strategy. I believe the government's stance on growth is connected to the demands of civil society and our citizens. Whether we continue to pursue growth or focus more on happiness is a matter that should be debated among the people and demanded of the government. If growth is still socially demanded, it should proceed in the direction of green growth. This is not a decision the committee can make; I ask that the National Assembly discuss and carefully consider whether to include this concept.

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