Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "Nuclear Power Policy Needs Reconsideration for Carbon Neutrality"

Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary-General, Keynote Speech at 'BIXPO 2021'
"Carbon Neutrality, a Difficult but Essential Path"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated on the 10th that the Moon Jae-in administration should reconsider its nuclear power policy to achieve carbon neutrality.

At the keynote speech held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju during the 'Bitgaram International Electric Power Technology Expo 2021 (BIXPO 2021),' Ban emphasized, "Carbon neutrality is a difficult but essential path."

He evaluated, "The Carbon Neutrality Committee presented a roadmap excluding nuclear power," and added, "They said they would increase the renewable energy ratio to 71%, but many experts say it is unrealistic considering climate environment and terrain." He further stressed, "A new review is needed at the government level regarding nuclear power policy."

Earlier, the Carbon Neutrality Committee finalized the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario on the 18th of last month, which expands the renewable energy ratio from the current 6.6% to 70.8% by 2050. The 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to 2018.

Although there are significant concerns about the speed of carbon neutrality mainly from the industrial sector, it was also clearly stated that this is an "irreversible trend."

He said, "President Moon has spoken seven times on the international stage, and (achieving carbon neutrality) is a binding policy regardless of whether the administration changes," adding, "As an energy-intensive country, Korea faces resistance from the industry, but we have no choice but to start carbon neutrality now."

He particularly noted that industries with high carbon intensity such as cement, steel, and fertilizer would face significant shocks. However, with the European Union (EU) introducing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the United States also considering its implementation, the movement to achieve carbon neutrality should not be delayed further.

Former Secretary-General Ban emphasized, "Carbon neutrality is not a matter of choice but a necessary path for ourselves, future generations, and the sustainability of the Earth," adding, "It is a new paradigm to transform South Korea's industrial structure and a political and moral obligation."

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