Lee Nak-yeon, the 'ESG President,' Pledges "Over 35% Carbon Emission Reduction Within 10 Years"

"'30-Year Climate War' Failure Means No Future for Humanity"
Efforts Must Unite to Improve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Factors

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Nak-yeon, former leader and presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced specific measures emphasizing the need for a "major transition to an ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) nation" as the governing philosophy of the new government launching next year.

On the 29th, in a speech at the 'Life ESG Action' advance rally held in a metaverse format (non-face-to-face), Lee stated, "If we do not win the '30-year climate war' and the 'major transition to an ESG nation,' there can be no prosperity, peace, or justice on Earth. We must act now." He explained that to overcome the climate crisis, social crisis, and democracy crisis humanity faces, the nation, companies, and citizens must unite to drastically improve environment (E), society (S), and governance (G) to overcome this existential crisis.

In his speech, Lee declared the '30-year climate war,' saying, "'The 30-year climate war' and the 'major transition to an ESG nation' are battles for humanity's survival, battles that determine the rise and fall of nations, the success or failure of companies, and the future of our children and grandchildren," thereby jointly declaring the 'major transition to an ESG nation.'

Lee emphasized, "To lead the 30-year climate war to victory, the nation, companies, and citizens must fight with one heart, and in the initial five years, national finances, private capital, and human labor must be massively invested." He proposed concrete measures such as "allocating 2-3% of GDP annually as a carbon-neutral budget, replacing carbon-based industries with renewable energy-based ones, and providing education, training, and welfare to prevent unemployment during the massive industrial transition."

He continued, "To achieve the 'major transition to an ESG nation,' we will fight the climate crisis, social crisis, and democracy crisis," pledging to reduce carbon emissions by more than 35% within ten years for 2050 carbon neutrality and to eliminate or reduce the use of fossil fuels, disposable products, and plastics.

Alongside this, to promote social integration, he vowed to lead efforts to eliminate inequality and discrimination, foster solidarity and cooperation for a 'just transition' where capital, labor, and environment coexist harmoniously, and build a warm and generous community where children, youth, women, and the elderly are not marginalized.

Lee pledged, "I will buy products from companies that center their management on ESG and live as individual citizens practicing ESG in daily life," and added, "We will unite our efforts for the inauguration of a new government that adopts ESG as its governing philosophy."

Meanwhile, Life ESG Action was launched in March, and in April, it proceeded with its first proposal, 'Goodbye Plastic,' aimed at reducing plastic use. Lee was the first to propose this group and also introduced the ESG Four Laws as a representative earlier this month. The 'ESG Four Laws' mandate the essential incorporation of ESG in public institution management, public pension fund operations, and public procurement.

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