[New Year's Address] Han Jeong-ae "We Must Accelerate the Transition of Social and Economic Structures to Achieve Carbon Neutrality"

Institutional Improvement and Sufficient Financial Support to Enable the Whole Society to Engage in Change
Emphasizing Completion of Integrated Water Management and Stabilization of Fine Dust Improvement Trends

Minister Han Jeong-ae of the Ministry of Environment. (Photo by archive)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment, stated on the 3rd, "We must accelerate the transformation of social and economic structures to achieve carbon neutrality."

On this day, Minister Han said in her New Year's address, "We need to improve systems and strengthen collaboration such as consulting so that the whole society can engage in change, while supporting the change with sufficient financial resources."

She emphasized that the participation of citizens and local governments is essential to realize carbon neutrality. Minister Han said, "The driving force of society comes from each individual citizen and local communities," adding, "We must widely establish a culture of practicing carbon-neutral lifestyles and strengthen support and cooperation so that local governments can confidently and boldly pursue carbon neutrality."

Furthermore, Minister Han stated that this year, the achievements of integrated water management must be expanded. She said, "This year marks the first year of completing integrated water management, encompassing media, quantity, and quality of water, following the transfer of river-related tasks, and public expectations for resolving chronic and persistent water issues are high," adding, "We will create benefits of clean water based on regional coexistence and promote water management that is safe against climate and disasters, so that the results of integrated water management can be returned to the people."

She also pledged to make efforts not to neglect the Ministry of Environment’s fundamental responsibility to protect citizens from environmental hazards and to create a safe and pleasant living environment. She said, "We must tighten the reins to ensure that the improvement trend of fine dust, which is of high public interest, is firmly established and return blue skies to the people throughout the year," adding, "We will proactively address environmental disparities by closely monitoring vulnerable groups and areas susceptible to environmental pollution, and through wise use and coexistence with natural resources, we will enable citizens exhausted by COVID-19 to enjoy the comfort that nature provides."

Lastly, Minister Han urged, "If last year we established a roadmap and intermediate milestone for 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, this year is the year to set detailed routes and row swiftly," adding, "Let us work together to build a Ministry of Environment that fulfills its responsibilities to the end."

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