Discussion Forum on 'Forest Technology Industry Policy' for Carbon Neutrality 2050 Implementation Held

"Forestry Technicians Must Lead the Realization of Carbon Neutrality 2050"

On the 30th at 1 PM, National Assembly member Lee Gae-ho is attending the Forest Technology Industry Policy Meeting and delivering a greeting.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Forestry technicians gathered to discuss the role of the forestry sector and institutional improvement measures for achieving carbon neutrality.

According to the Forestry Technicians Association on the 30th, a policy forum was held in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, hosted by the Democratic Party’s Great Transition Election Committee’s Farmers and Fishermen Committee Forestry Technology Special Committee and organized by the Forestry Technicians Association.

Professor Jo Yonggi gave a presentation on carbon sinks in the forestry sector and the role of forestry technicians, and Research Director Choi Seongmin presented on the urgency of industrialization in the forestry technology field.

Additionally, Chairman Won Taeksang of the Forestry Cooperative presented on the current status and development plans for timber production, and Jin Yeongmun, head of the Jeonbuk branch of the Forestry Technicians Association, spoke about forestry technology development utilizing regional hubs.

The practical issues in the forestry sector’s carbon neutrality plan included ▲a sharp decrease in reforestation volume of carbon sinks ▲difficulty in expanding forest tending projects ▲insufficient maximization and efficient use of forest byproducts ▲negative views from environmental groups on power generation using forest biomass ▲and an absolute shortage of production sites considering the procedures of forest owners due to harvest and forest tending focused on economic forests.

National Assembly member Lee Gaeho said in his greeting, “Our country is a mountainous nation, but public awareness has not been significant compared to the proportion of mountains. Although we are the world’s fourth largest mountainous country, the timber self-sufficiency rate is only 15%. The government has been striving to increase timber self-sufficiency for 20 years, but the results have yet to meet expectations.”

He continued, “However, changes are gradually appearing. The forestry direct payment system has been legislated and will be implemented from the second half of next year, which is expected to improve conditions. We will continue to make efforts for changes in forestry policy,” he emphasized.

He added, “I hope this forum will serve as an opportunity to promote the continuous development of forestry through the advancement of the forest industry.”

Research Director Choi Seongmin stated, “For the industrialization of forestry projects, we must improve the system, renew our determination, and prepare from the beginning for a greater future in forestry rather than responding recklessly.”

A participant at the meeting lamented, “Currently, the Korea Forest Service is indifferent to supporting and fostering technology companies.”

Chairman Jo Hangyu of the Forestry Technology Special Committee said, “This policy forum was organized to lay the foundation for the goal of specialized forestry technology industrialization by establishing forestry industry technology as a regional growth hub and a center for sustainable forest management.”

Meanwhile, the international community recognizes the seriousness of climate change and is striving to address it.

As part of this, following the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which imposed obligations on developed countries, the Paris Agreement, involving both developed and developing countries, was adopted in 2015 and came into effect on November 4, 2016, through active international efforts. South Korea ratified the Paris Agreement on November 3, 2016.

To this end, industries across the board are working to achieve Carbon Neutrality 2050, and forestry technicians in our country, the world’s fourth largest mountainous nation, are taking the lead in realizing carbon neutrality.

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