'Special Lecture Changing Gyeonggi-do' Starts on the 15th... Held 7 Times Until the 23rd

A special lecture series on future new industry prospects, ambitiously prepared by Gyeonggi Province, began on the 15th. The province will hold a total of seven lectures on different new topics until the 23rd. Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is giving closing remarks following the special lecture. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] A special solution-finding forum to prepare Gyeonggi Province's future growth engines such as carbon neutrality, semiconductors, renewable energy, and future cars, titled "Opportunity Gyeonggi Innovation Forum - Gyeongbasi (Time to Change Gyeonggi Province) Season 1," has begun.

On the 15th, Gyeonggi Province held the first lecture of "Opportunity Gyeonggi Innovation Forum - Gyeongbasi (Time to Change Gyeonggi Province) Season 1," focusing on carbon neutrality and energy transition policies, examining European cases and discussing the path Gyeonggi Province should take.

The first speakers of the special lecture were Claudio Baccianti, Project Manager of the European Union Sustainable Finance Project at Agora EW, and Yeom Gwang-hee, Project Manager of Agora EW Korea. Agora EW is a non-profit private think tank developing strategies for achieving climate neutrality in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.

Manager Baccianti introduced the "European Green Deal" announced by the European Union (EU) Commission aligned with the 2050 climate neutrality goal, stating, "Although there are concerns that some climate crisis response policies in Europe might change due to increased coal emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of renewable energy such as solar power is increasing, and the EU's carbon emission allowance price remains high at around 70 euros per ton."

He added, "The high price means that both the market and the EU's policy direction are trusted," and forecasted, "With the activation of carbon emission trading increasing public finances, investments in the green sector will also increase, further strengthening the EU's climate crisis stance."

Manager Yeom presented German cases related to Gyeonggi Province's energy transition policies, including ▲ expanding renewable energy to create jobs and secure resident acceptance ▲ eliminating coal-fired power plants ▲ reducing heating energy through energy efficiency measures such as building remodeling ▲ replacing fossil fuels with electricity ▲ using hydrogen energy.

Manager Yeom emphasized, "Germany has achieved results by implementing renewable energy policies from the past and is a good example showing how energy transition impacts the national economy and society."

After the lecture, the province held a Q&A session and a free discussion through YouTube chat with the speakers and participants on the importance of establishing and implementing renewable energy transition plans.

One participant asked, "Europe is increasing its greenhouse gas reduction targets and allocating budgets accordingly to each country, which seems similar to Gyeonggi Province's situation working with 31 cities and counties," seeking solutions.

In response, Manager Claudio said, "The 27 member countries have different economic levels, so naturally, some resistance exists when policies are implemented in certain member countries. However, compromises are always found. First, if countries and companies do not actively follow eco-friendly policies like emission trading systems, they will suffer losses. Second, financial support is provided. Since it greatly helps national finances, regulations are accepted," he advised.

Regarding the opinion that unlike Germany or the EU, Korea only sets goals without accompanying means and finances, causing a significant gap, Manager Yeom replied, "Germany has well-established local autonomy based on city-states, with considerable authority delegated to local governments. They conduct many interesting experiments, creating regional models that spread nationwide," adding, "For example, providing additional subsidies for solar power generators is a method that accelerates local energy resources without conflicting with central government regulations or support measures."

On the question of whether Korea is suitable for renewable energy projects, he explained, "Gyeonggi Province has economically viable wind power in places like Jebudo. Also, energy can be produced using biomass or waste, so it depends on how the composition is made," and added, "Germany, a country with insufficient sunlight, has installed the most solar power generators worldwide. A change in mindset is necessary."

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon concluded the event by saying, "Today, we signed a pledge to stop using disposable cups at the provincial office, marking our first step toward addressing climate change. We reorganized the Environmental Bureau into the Climate Environment Energy Bureau and plan to establish a department related to renewable industries as announced today, but there is still a long way to go," and proposed, "Judging by what the central government is doing now, it seems unlikely to achieve even half of the goals. Let's join forces starting with Gyeonggi Province. Let's change Gyeonggi Province and change Korea."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province will hold a total of seven Gyeongbasi sessions until the 23rd. On the 16th, Hwang Cheol-ju, CEO of Juseong Engineering, will give a lecture on the theme of "Innovation and Happiness." CEO Hwang will discuss innovations in Gyeonggi Province that can improve the quality of life for residents.

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