Seoul City to Host 'Zero Waste' International Climate and Environment Forum on 1st-2nd

Selected with the theme of 'Zero Waste' to curb disposable product use
Mayor Oh Se-hoon emphasizes the importance of the circular economy and more

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold the "2022 Seoul International Climate and Environment Forum" on the theme of "Zero Waste (Reducing Waste)" from the 1st to the 2nd.

Due to the increased use of disposable products caused by COVID-19 prevention measures and the growing need to establish a circular economy for sustainable development, the forum's theme was set as "Zero Waste."

At the forum's opening ceremony, there will be a welcome speech by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, an online congratulatory message from Mark Watts, Secretary-General of C40 (City Climate Leadership Group), and a keynote speech by Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC.

Mayor Oh said, "Seoul has set a challenging goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2026 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050," adding, "It is important to establish a circular economy that reduces disposable plastics increased by non-face-to-face lifestyles while recycling and reusing waste."

In his keynote speech titled "Carbon Neutrality: Science and Policy," IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee emphasized that climate change is a matter of policy choices based on scientific evidence and announced that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 can limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The high-level discussion held on the same day will be conducted under the theme "Climate Justice Accompanying the Vulnerable and Realizing a Circular Economy Society for Waste." Panelists include Maria Castillo Fernandez, EU Ambassador to Korea; Professor Moon Gil-ju, Chair of the Private Sector of the Special Committee on Fine Dust and Distinguished Professor at Korea University; Lee In-geun, Director of Environmental Planning at Seoul City; Tyrone Zhu, Acting Director of the San Francisco Environment Department (online); and Milag San Jose-Ballesteros, C40 East Asia Regional Director (online). James Hooper, a climate environment consultant and broadcaster, will serve as the moderator.

The city plans to use this forum as an opportunity to revitalize its flagship project, "Zero Waste Seoul." By sharing cases of international organizations and overseas cities realizing zero waste and circular economy, Seoul aims to explore applicable measures locally and enhance urban competitiveness in the climate and environment sector through an international human exchange network based on the forum.

Since 2021, Seoul has been promoting waste reduction through the "Zero Waste Seoul" project. Initiatives include Zero Cafe, which eliminates disposable cups at beverage sales outlets such as cafes; Zero Restaurant, which eliminates disposable plastic containers at restaurants; Zero Market, which removes packaging materials inside stores and marts; and Zero Campus, which eliminates waste on campuses.

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