Transition Team Proposes Carbon Neutrality Policy... Includes Nuclear Power in Green Taxonomy

New Government to Cut Fine Dust by 30%... "Balanced Reorganization of Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The Presidential Transition Committee (Transition Committee) has decided to include nuclear power in the green taxonomy (K-Taxonomy) as part of its carbon neutrality policy. It also newly revealed a goal to reduce ultrafine dust by up to 30% during the term of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which will launch next month.

On the 28th, Kim Dosik, a member of the Social Welfare and Culture Division of the Transition Committee, announced the new administration’s climate and environmental policy direction, stating, "In response to the global decarbonization trend, we will utilize the implementation of carbon neutrality as an opportunity to transition to a green economy and prioritize protecting the health and safety of the public from unprecedented abnormal climate and environmental crises."

First, the plan to include nuclear power in the K-Taxonomy will be pursued. Referring to the recent case of the European Union (EU) including nuclear power in its Green Taxonomy, the committee plans to prepare related measures through social consensus. The green taxonomy is an investment standard for green finance that invests in industries producing goods and services that improve the environment. Although nuclear power was excluded from the ‘Korean Green Taxonomy’ finalized in December last year, the Transition Committee had promised to revise the system to include nuclear power in the green taxonomy by August.

The new government also announced a goal to reduce ultrafine dust by 30%. The core of this plan is to drastically reduce the share of fossil fuel power generation, expand the supply of zero-emission vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars, and reduce the total allowable emissions in air management zones. During high concentration periods in winter, a two-day advance forecasting system will be established, and the seasonal fine dust management system will be strengthened. Plans include building an artificial intelligence (AI) flood forecasting system, maintaining national and local rivers to completely prevent flood damage, and modernizing aging water management facilities.

Accordingly, the new government plans to develop a feasible carbon neutrality achievement plan to effectively implement Korea’s ‘2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)’ pledged to the international community. Commissioner Kim said, "We will reorganize the Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee in a balanced manner to establish optimal reduction targets and implementation plans by sector," adding, "We will comprehensively support investments in innovative technologies and the replacement of greenhouse gas reduction facilities in the industry."

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