Economic Groups: "Government Carbon Neutrality Scenario, Goals Excessive and Implementation Plans Unclear"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As the government unveiled a draft carbon neutrality scenario, economic organizations expressed agreement with the government's carbon neutrality direction on the 5th but voiced concerns over excessive reduction targets and unclear implementation plans.

The three draft scenarios released by the government on the day aim to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to 25.4 million tons, 18.7 million tons, and zero by 2050, respectively.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated, "Carbon neutrality by 2050 is the direction our society must take, and companies recognize it as an unavoidable task," adding, "However, since the situations and conditions faced by companies vary by industry and size, solutions must be found through broad opinion gathering."

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry continued, "The announced scenarios are the result of discussions centered on the government and experts, and going forward, companies' opinions must be actively reflected," emphasizing, "Support measures should also be prepared for companies striving to develop carbon reduction technologies despite difficult management environments."

The Federation of Korean Industries also issued a statement, saying, "We highly appreciate efforts to participate in the international community's climate crisis response and to minimize climate change damage, but we cannot help but express concerns that the reduction targets for the industrial sector are excessively high."

Regarding this, the Federation of Korean Industries pointed out, "In all three scenarios, the industrial sector must reduce emissions by 80% compared to 2018 levels by 2050," adding, "Setting such an unreasonable target in Korea, which has a manufacturing-centered industrial structure, raises concerns about job losses and a decline in international competitiveness."

Additionally, the Federation of Korean Industries criticized the government's proposed carbon reduction technologies and fuel switching as reduction measures, stating that their feasibility is currently unclear, and also pointed out that the government did not propose expanding nuclear power in the transition sector.

The Federation of Korean Industries emphasized, "Nuclear power is a means to supply electricity stably without emitting greenhouse gases," adding, "Major countries such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and China have announced plans to actively utilize nuclear power as a means to achieve carbon neutrality, and it is desirable for us to include nuclear power expansion plans in the transition sector."

The Korea Employers Federation also stated, "While we agree with carbon neutrality by 2050 through continuous greenhouse gas reduction, there are significant concerns about whether hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology and eco-friendly fuel and raw material switching among the scenario's reduction methods can be commercialized by 2050."

The Korea Employers Federation emphasized, "Due to Korea's manufacturing-centered industrial structure and high dependence on fossil power generation, abrupt greenhouse gas reduction policies could weaken corporate competitiveness and have a significant impact on the economy and society overall," urging, "Industry opinions must be actively reflected in the future opinion-gathering process."

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