"Changwon-Type Biodiversity Policy Launched" ... Heo Seong-moo, Mayor of Changwon, Discusses 'Carbon Neutrality' with Asia-Pacific Local Leaders at 'Human City Suwon Forum'

Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon is discussing Changwon City's carbon neutrality policy case at the '2021 Human City Suwon Forum'. [Image source=Changwon City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] On the 5th, Heo Seong-moo, mayor of Changwon City, Gyeongnam, was invited as a panelist for the local government session at the 'Asia-Pacific Cities Summit 2021 Human City Suwon Forum' hosted by Suwon City, where he presented Changwon's biodiversity policy case and discussed the challenges and strategies for carbon-neutral cities for local governments.

The event was held at the Suwon Convention Center under the theme "Challenges for Humans and Nature, for All."

The forum was conducted simultaneously online and offline with domestic and international local government officials attending, aiming to establish a foundation for policy discovery and future joint implementation in connection with the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Meeting, "Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals."

Following the opening and expert sessions, the third session for local governments was held under the theme "Challenges and Strategies for Local Governments for Carbon-Neutral Cities," chaired by former Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae.

Domestic panelists included Mayor Heo, Kim Hong-jang, mayor of Dangjin, Kim Soo-young, head of Yangcheon District, and Heo Seok, mayor of Suncheon, while international panelists included the mayors of Denpasar, Indonesia, and Townsville, Australia, who participated online.

Mayor Heo, the first among domestic and international panelists, explained the "Changwon-type Biodiversity Policy Case," a nature-based climate crisis response strategy for carbon-neutral cities.

Mayor Heo explained the background of proactive measures, saying, "Changwon is known as the mecca of machinery and manufacturing industries and has driven ultra-fast economic growth for over 40 years. The practice of carbon neutrality and response to the climate crisis were more urgent here than anywhere else."

He then introduced the achievements of the "Clear Masan Bay Revival Project," which has been emphasized and promoted since 2019, and explained the wetland protection policies for Masan Bay Bongam Tidal Flat and Junam Reservoir, the largest migratory bird habitat in Korea, known as a treasure trove of biodiversity, revealing solutions found in nature.

Mayor Heo added, "Changwon is promoting the 'Hydrogen Industry Economic Ecosystem Creation Project' to create a sustainable industrial environment where people and nature coexist," and said, "We are responding to the climate crisis by establishing customized core strategies reflecting regional characteristics with the goal of becoming a smart climate environment city by 2030."

He also emphasized that carbon emission issues should not be viewed only from an environmental perspective, but local governments must also consider economic and industrial aspects, and that a green transition is necessary in which environmental values are embedded in all fields including economy, society, and culture.

Finally, Mayor Heo said, "I hope Changwon's case becomes a solution for the great transformation to overcome the climate crisis era facing us and that it lays the cornerstone for local government-centered carbon neutrality both domestically and internationally."

Forum participants unanimously agreed that establishing and implementing policies for both people and nature is the most efficient way to responsibly fulfill international agreements.

They also agreed to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of policies through exchange and cooperation with local governments in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Korea, and pledged to lead the joint implementation of common challenges.

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