Gwangyang-si Secures 19.8 Billion KRW in National and Provincial Funds for Carbon Neutrality and Air Quality Improvement in 2022

Government Moves One Step Closer to Achieving 2050 Carbon Neutrality and 2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

Secures 16.8 Billion KRW National Budget and 3 Billion KRW Provincial Budget for 12 Key Projects

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do announced on the 29th that it has secured 16.8 billion KRW in national funds and 3 billion KRW in provincial funds for 12 key projects related to carbon neutrality and air quality improvement in 2022, aiming to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, respond to future climate change, and improve air quality.

The main projects securing national and provincial funds include ▲ Climate Change Response Plan 70 million KRW ▲ Eco-friendly Vehicle Charging Infrastructure 53 million KRW (provincial funds) ▲ National funds of 72 million KRW for the distribution of eco-friendly boilers for households ▲ Support for climate change vulnerable groups 120 million KRW ▲ Clean Fuel Conversion Support Project 25 million KRW ▲ Green Mobility Distribution 17.1 billion KRW (national funds 14.3 billion, provincial funds 2.8 billion) ▲ Zeroing out old diesel vehicles 2.2 billion KRW (national funds 2.1 billion, provincial funds 100 million) ▲ Strengthening climate change adaptation citizen practice campaigns 58 million KRW ▲ Advancement of air pollution monitoring system 100 million KRW, etc.

With the enactment of the 「Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Basic Act」, the climate change response plan for basic local governments became legally mandatory in 2022. Accordingly, the city secured a budget of 100 million KRW, including 70 million KRW in national funds, to establish a ‘Climate Change Response Plan’ corresponding to the 2050 carbon neutrality and the 2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC)*.

In the transportation sector, to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality, the city plans to shift from an oil-centered transportation system to eco-friendly vehicles. To this end, it will expand the distribution of green mobility (electric and hydrogen vehicles) and increase non-public charging infrastructure to eliminate charging blind spots.

To improve fine dust, the city aims to zero out old diesel vehicles, which account for about 7% of all vehicles in Gwangyang. Plans include early retirement support, installation support for diesel particulate filters, engine replacement support for construction machinery, and expansion of LPG conversion support projects for 1-ton cargo trucks and children’s school vehicles.

To reduce NOx (nitrogen oxides), a major cause of fine dust, the distribution of eco-friendly boilers for households will also be expanded.

In the climate change sector, the city was selected for a national project supporting vulnerable groups to climate change, securing 120 million KRW in national funds to create and provide shelters for vulnerable elderly and children.

Additionally, to promote voluntary greenhouse gas reduction through citizen practice campaigns for carbon neutrality and training green leaders, efforts will be made to strengthen climate change adaptation citizen practice campaigns.

For scientific analysis of air pollution status and provision of reliable air quality information, the city plans to maintain the existing national industrial complex air monitoring system, expand one new air pollution measurement network, and promote clean fuel conversion support projects in the industrial sector.

The city believes this project will greatly contribute to achieving the government’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal and air quality improvement in line with the Paris Agreement target to limit global temperature rise to within 1.5℃.

Kim Jae-hee, Director of the Environment Division, said, “We plan to ensure the smooth progress of the 2022 national fund projects,” and added, “We will proactively visit related agencies such as the Ministry of Environment to secure additional national funds and do our best to establish stable funding and contribute to achieving the government’s carbon neutrality goals and improving air quality.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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