From the 22nd, G20 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Italy... Discussing 'International Cooperation for Carbon Neutrality' Measures

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae (file photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae will attend the G20 Environment Ministers' Meeting and the Climate and Energy Joint Ministers' Meeting held over two days from the 22nd in Naples, Italy, as the government representative.

This meeting is the first in-person event in two years since the G20 Environment and Energy Joint Ministers' Meeting held in June 2019 in Japan.

The meeting will be attended by environment ministers and climate change and energy ministers and vice-ministers from the G20 member countries including South Korea, the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, and invited countries, as well as representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

At the Environment Ministers' Meeting on the 22nd, two sessions will discuss cooperation measures among the G20: ▲ protection and management of natural capital including biodiversity ▲ joint efforts for sustainable and circular resource use.

Minister Han will propose the need to strengthen international action and cooperation directions for restoring the sustainability of natural resources and transitioning to a circular economy society. She will share South Korea’s leading policy efforts with the international community, including expanding protected areas, restoring endangered species for biodiversity conservation, and preparing a Korean-style (K-) circular economy action plan.

At the Climate and Energy Joint Ministers' Meeting on the 23rd, four sessions will be held: ▲ strengthening urban and climate action ▲ sustainable recovery and transition to clean energy ▲ promoting finance flows consistent with the Paris Agreement ▲ energy security and energy poverty.

Minister Han will introduce South Korea’s plan to raise its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target for greenhouse gas reduction to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and mention that the Carbon Neutrality Act is currently under discussion. She will emphasize leading the implementation of carbon neutrality through smart green cities.

Based on the discussions at this meeting, participants plan to adopt an Environment Ministers' Declaration and a Climate and Energy Ministers' Declaration reflecting the G20’s joint commitment to biodiversity enhancement and climate change response.

Meanwhile, Minister Han plans to hold broad bilateral meetings with major countries such as the United States and the EU, Asia-Pacific countries, and representatives of international organizations during this meeting to discuss ways to strengthen inter-country cooperation to overcome the global climate and environmental crisis and to negotiate hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

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