Government to Reduce Marine and Fisheries Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 70% by 2030

The 4th Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change Response in the Marine and Fisheries Sector

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the marine and fisheries sector by 70% compared to 2018 levels by 2030. To achieve this, it will mandate the eco-friendly conversion of government vessels and promote the gradual introduction of eco-friendly ships among private shipping companies. A marine plastic energy conversion system linked to dedicated marine waste collection centers will be pilot-deployed starting in 2025.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the establishment of the 4th Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change Response in the Marine and Fisheries Sector. The ministry set policy goals including ▲a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the marine and fisheries sector by 2030 (compared to 2018) ▲minimizing loss of life and property caused by coastal and marine climate disasters ▲enhancing public awareness and experience of marine climate crisis response policies.

First, for fishing vessels, which account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the fisheries sector, support for the replacement and construction of aging vessels will continue, and research and development of low-carbon fishing vessels powered by LPG and hybrid fuels will be completed by 2025. The goal is to begin deployment from 2026. By 2030, 388 government vessels and 140 private vessels will be converted to eco-friendly ships. Currently, Ulsan Port offers a 20% reduction in port entry and exit fees for eco-friendly ships; by 2030, this discount standard will be established for all nationally managed trade ports. Major fishing ports and coastal areas nationwide will be developed as marine waste recycling hubs, with 1,200 dedicated marine waste collection centers installed by 2030, alongside the development of eco-friendly and small-scale energy conversion systems.

Greenhouse gas absorption and conversion will also be promoted. The ‘blue carbon’?greenhouse gases absorbed and stored by marine ecosystems?will be gradually expanded. Salt marsh plant communities will be restored to 15㎢ by 2025 and 105㎢ by 2030, and sea forests will be created covering 385㎢ by 2025 and 540㎢ by 2030. Plans for hydrogen port development will also be prepared by 2024.

A proactive prevention system for coastal climate disasters will be fully established. Measures include advancing basic surveys for coastal disaster prevention, reorganizing response systems, and introducing marine climate disaster forecasting and warning systems.

Additionally, a cooperative governance system will be built to respond to the marine and fisheries climate crisis. It will enhance the carbon neutrality transition acceptance of coastal communities and establish collaborative systems with local governments for joint responses, sharing nationally led observation and prediction data.

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Seung-hwan Cho, stated, "We will actively support carbon neutrality as a new opportunity for the industry and do our utmost to protect the lives and property of our citizens from increasingly severe climate disasters."

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