Dongdaemun-gu Announces '2050 Carbon Neutral City' Declaration

Declaration of the First Year for Carbon Neutral City Implementation and Practice... Aiming to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050 in Line with Global Standards

Encouraging Resident Participation through Initiatives such as ‘Dongdaemun-gu Youth Climate and Environmental Guardians’ and the Production and Distribution of ‘My Own Carbon Neutrality Pledge’

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) held the ‘Dongdaemun-gu 2050 Carbon Neutrality Declaration Ceremony’ at 2 p.m. on the 9th in the multipurpose auditorium on the 2nd floor of the district office, declaring the first year for the implementation and practice of a carbon neutral city in step with the global response to the climate crisis.

A ‘carbon neutral city’ refers to a city where the net emissions of greenhouse gases?calculated by offsetting the amount of greenhouse gases absorbed against the amount emitted, released, or leaked into the atmosphere?reach zero.

The district plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in accordance with global standards.

To this end, the ‘2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Basic Plan’ is scheduled to be established in March. Considering the district’s lack of green spaces, the plan includes creating urban forests to reduce fine dust and expanding urban gardens to cultivate Dongdaemun-gu into a ‘City of Flowers.’

Specific action plans include ▲ installing food waste volume-based bins and unmanned PET bottle collection machines ▲ creating indoor gardens and green curtains ▲ constructing zero-energy buildings using renewable energy ▲ expanding eco-friendly vehicle charging zones ▲ expanding bicycle lanes and Ddareungi rental stations ▲ establishing a fine dust notification system ▲ creating car-free streets, among others, to reduce waste and improve air quality.

Notably, at the declaration ceremony, the ‘Dongdaemun-gu Youth Climate and Environmental Guardians,’ composed of local elementary and middle school students, held an inaugural ceremony ahead of their full-scale activities, drawing attention.

This is significant as the youth, who are the future generation, are participating in responding to the climate and environmental crisis. The district plans to gradually expand the number of youth climate and environmental guardians, currently about 50.

Furthermore, since carbon neutrality requires the participation of residents, the district will encourage continuous participation by producing and distributing ‘My Own Carbon Neutrality Pledge (10 items)’ so that carbon neutrality becomes part of daily life.

A district official stated that they plan to establish the ‘Dongdaemun-gu Carbon Neutrality Support Center’ to create a think tank promoting green growth, attract the Presidential 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee to Dongdaemun-gu, and form sister-city relationships with leading carbon neutral cities to transform Dongdaemun-gu into a global standard carbon neutral city.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, who declared the 2050 carbon neutral city, said, “Carbon neutrality can save the Earth and change the lives of myself, my neighbors, and our children. Starting with this declaration ceremony, Dongdaemun-gu will proactively respond to the climate crisis and rise as a global standard first-class city.” He added, “We ask for the support and participation of residents to create a city where people communicate and walk together, a city where we live harmoniously, and a happy Dongdaemun-gu.”

Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Lee Pil-hyung (left) is attending the 'Dongdaemun-gu 2050 Carbon Neutral City Declaration Ceremony' on the 9th and is trying out a bicycle generator himself.

The district has strengthened climate crisis adaptation measures and laid the institutional foundation by enacting the Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Basic Ordinance, forming the Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Committee, and designating the deputy mayor as the person responsible for carbon neutrality implementation to promote transition to a carbon-neutral society and activate green growth.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, Signs MOU to Identify Vulnerable Households in Crisis

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu (left), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Yeongdeungpo Branch of the Korea Association of Realtors on the afternoon of the 9th to identify vulnerable households in social crisis as honorary social welfare officers.

Attending the signing ceremony were Mayor Choi Ho-kwon, Yoo Jeong-hee, President of the Yeongdeungpo Branch of the Korea Association of Realtors, and others, who shared a commitment to building a robust community safety net. The Korea Association of Realtors Yeongdeungpo Branch will immediately notify the district office upon discovering vulnerable neighbors in difficulty, and the district will conduct in-depth counseling, investigation, and welfare service linkage based on the information provided.

Mayor Choi Ho-kwon stated, “Through public-private cooperation, we will actively identify and support households in crisis that need help. I thank the members who willingly took the lead in this meaningful work despite their busy livelihoods, and I will do my best to create a happy Yeongdeungpo where no one is left behind.”

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