Mayor Won Kangsoo: "Selected as Environmental Education City... Stepping Up as a Leading City for Carbon Neutrality by 2050"

Wonju Designated as 'Environmental Education City for 2026-2028'
A First for Gangwon Province... Administrative and Financial Support Through 2028

Wonju City in Gangwon Province has been selected as the first city in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province to be designated as an 'Environmental Education City for 2026-2028' by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

Wonju City has been selected as the first city in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province to be designated as an 'Environmental Education City for 2026-2028' by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. Photo by Wonju City

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment designates Environmental Education Cities by evaluating whether local governments have established educational systems to enhance citizens' environmental awareness and promote sustainable local communities, in accordance with the Act on the Promotion and Support of Environmental Education.

As a newly designated Environmental Education City, Wonju will receive administrative and financial support in various areas-including expanding the environmental education infrastructure, operating governance systems, and implementing citizen participation programs-for three years from 2026 to 2028.

This selection is especially significant as it marks the fruition of Wonju's vision of becoming "an environmental education city where all generations learn and practice together," and is the first such designation in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

Wonju has been recognized for its outstanding regional environmental education infrastructure and its achievements in providing education to a wide range of groups, including citizens, institutions, and military units. In particular, the city directly conducts customized on-site education programs for local military personnel to raise awareness about waste reduction and resource circulation. These efforts have been highlighted as innovative examples that take into account the security characteristics of military units.

Additionally, Wonju has operated the Wonju Environmental Education Network, which brings together over 70 organizations-including civic groups, businesses, schools, and public institutions-centered around the Environmental Education Center and the Climate Change Promotion Center. The city has also actively promoted outreach environmental education at community centers, daycare centers, senior centers, and libraries, laying the foundation for a city where all generations can learn and practice together.

Going forward, Wonju plans to expand dedicated organizations and personnel and to develop and distribute high-quality programs during the designation period (2026-2028) in order to strengthen its position as a leading city for sustainable environmental education and the practice of carbon neutrality. Through these efforts, the city aims to reinforce the foundation for environmental education and further enhance the region's capacity for carbon neutrality.

Wonju also plans to expand an integrated environmental education model involving education, administration, and businesses in order to realize its vision of becoming "a city community where citizens learn and practice together for the environment."

Won Kangsoo, Mayor of Wonju, stated, "This designation as an Environmental Education City is the result of the interest and commitment to carbon neutrality shown by our citizens," adding, "We will further expand environmental education so that Wonju can emerge as a leading city for carbon neutrality by 2050."

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