4 Major Religions Join Forces to Support 'Carbon Neutral City Jeonju'!

Jeonju City Signs Carbon Neutrality Agreement with Four Major Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Won Buddhism

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonju City has joined hands with the four major religions?Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Won Buddhism?to realize ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality.’

On the 8th, Jeonju City signed a business agreement to achieve carbon neutrality, attended by Mayor Kim Seung-su, Chu I-yeop, President of the Jeonju Christian Federation, Woo Rim, Social Director of Geumsansa Temple, the head temple of the 17th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Kim Hee-tae, Vicar General of the Jeonju Catholic Diocese, and Han Eun-sook, Head of the Jeonbuk District of Won Buddhism, along with other key representatives of the four major religions.

This agreement was reached as the city declared its commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2050 with net-zero carbon emissions, and the four major religions actively agreed to participate in overcoming the climate crisis and practicing carbon neutrality in daily life.

According to the agreement, the four major religions will practice △expanding renewable energy facilities such as installing solar panels on idle land of religious facilities △minimizing power consumption during religious events △improving heating and cooling efficiency in religious facilities △reducing disposable products within religious facilities △using public transportation, walking, or cycling when attending religious events △practicing waste separation △promoting the spread of carbon neutrality.

Chu I-yeop, President of the Jeonju Christian Federation, said, “Churches in the Jeonju area are making efforts to protect the environment by refraining from using disposable products,” adding, “We will continue to participate more actively in practical movements to contribute to becoming a carbon-neutral city.”

Woo Rim, Social Director of Geumsansa Temple, the head temple of the 17th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, emphasized, “Each district is showing great interest in carbon neutrality and engaging in Buddhist environmental movements,” and added, “The Buddhist community will continue various projects such as creating and maintaining forests on idle land and installing electric vehicle charging facilities in parking lots.”

Kim Hee-tae, Vicar General of the Jeonju Catholic Diocese, stated, “The Catholic Church is also making declarations for carbon neutrality in each diocese and has organized ecological environment committees to intensify environmental protection activities,” and said, “The Jeonju Diocese will cooperate with the city to strive to overcome the climate crisis.”

Han Eun-sook, Head of the Jeonbuk District of Won Buddhism, added, “Since the current climate crisis is very serious, carbon neutrality is no longer a choice but a necessity,” and said, “Won Buddhism, which has long led environmental preservation movements, will actively participate in forming consensus and practicing carbon neutrality.”

Mayor Kim Seung-su said, “While everyone agrees on the necessity of carbon neutrality, many people have vague ideas about practical ways to implement it in daily life,” adding, “If the four major religions participate in practicing carbon neutrality in everyday life, we can take a step closer to the 2050 carbon neutrality goal.”

Going forward, Jeonju City plans to continuously sign business agreements with related organizations and private groups to encourage voluntary practice among citizens.

Prior to this, Jeonju City began a relay agreement for ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality’ with financial institutions such as Jeonbuk Bank and NongHyup, and has since signed agreements with the Jeonju Daycare Center Federation, youth and elderly welfare institutions, Jeonju Social Economy Enterprise Council, Jeonju Merchants Association, International Lions Club District 356-C (Jeonbuk), and Jeonju Women’s Association Council, encouraging the practice of carbon neutrality in daily life.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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