[2022 Busan Motor Show] Kia "Reducing Carbon by Reviving Gaetbeol"

Kwon Hyuk-ho, Head of Kia Domestic Business Division (left), and Karim Habib, Head of Kia Design Center, are taking a commemorative photo at the 2022 Busan Motor Show press event.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Kia announced on the 14th that it will carry out a domestic tidal flat vegetation restoration project for the next three years and sponsor related research to protect the marine ecosystem and respond to climate change. To this end, it plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the second half of this year.

This is an effort to help reduce carbon emissions as a car manufacturer. Transportation is considered a major source of carbon emissions. The absorption of carbon by marine ecosystems such as the sea and tidal flats is called "blue carbon," and since the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) officially recognized it as a greenhouse gas reduction measure in 2013, many countries have increased research and investment in this area.

According to the company, domestic tidal flats cover 2,480 km² and absorb 490,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to the amount emitted by about 200,000 internal combustion engine vehicles in one year. Therefore, Kia plans to promote planting activities to enhance the carbon absorption capacity of tidal flats. It will also measure changes in the marine ecosystem and carbon absorption effects to inform the international community about the ecological potential and climate change response capabilities of domestic tidal flats.

Kia exhibition hall participating in the 2022 Busan International Motor Show

In addition, Kia will collaborate with upcycling artists who incorporate design beyond simple recycling of waste. They plan to collect protective vinyl from new cars and turn it into automotive accessories.

The company has joined the RE100 initiative, committing to switch 100% of the electricity used in its global operations to renewable energy by 2040, and has pledged carbon neutrality by 2045. Kia is also partnering with the Dutch non-profit organization The Ocean Cleanup to assist in cleaning oceans and rivers and is exploring ways to recycle collected plastics.

Kwon Hyuk-ho, Head of Kia’s Domestic Business Division, said, "Kia operates its business with sustainability at the core to realize the brand’s reason for existence: ‘creating spaces and times where new ideas begin.’ We will lead the way in building a sustainable planet by establishing a global lineup of 14 EV models by 2027 and carefully considering every process from vehicle production to sales."

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