Last Year’s Emissions of '4 Major Sectors Greenhouse Gases' 580 Million Tons... 2.8% Decrease from Previous Year

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Last year, the greenhouse gas emissions from the "four major sectors (energy conversion, industry, buildings, and transportation)" in South Korea amounted to 588.6 million tons, marking a 2.8% decrease compared to the previous year.

The Presidential 2050 Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee (CNGC) and the Ministry of Environment announced on the 7th the results of the analysis on domestic greenhouse gas emissions and power generation by source. This analysis was conducted to support the establishment of the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and to implement greenhouse gas reduction policies.

According to the CNGC, greenhouse gas emissions from the four major sectors, which account for over 90% of total emissions, decreased by 24.1%, from 677.5 million tons in 2018 to 588.6 million tons last year. Compared to the previous year, emissions were reduced by 17.27 million tons, a reduction rate of 2.8%. The year-on-year reduction rates were -3.6% in 2019, -7.2% in 2020, 3.9% in 2021, and -3.8% in 2022.

By sector, emissions from the energy conversion sector were 203.7 million tons, down 10.2 million tons (4.7%) from the previous year. This marks a decrease for two consecutive years following 2022's 4.4% reduction. Although total power generation increased due to normalization of electricity demand after the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions were achieved through the expanded supply of zero-carbon energy such as nuclear and renewable energy. Last year, nuclear power generation was 180 TWh and renewable power generation was 56.7 TWh, increasing by 2.5% and 6.6% respectively compared to the previous year.

Emissions from the industrial sector also decreased by 1.1 million tons (0.4%), from 213.9 million tons in 2022 to 214.7 million tons last year. The government interpreted this as a result of industrial structural improvements, including the closure of aging blast furnaces in the steel industry, fuel switching of boilers in the refining sector, and increased fluorine treatment by semiconductor companies. To further enhance reduction levels, the government plans to develop 100 carbon-neutral technologies and support green financing exceeding 450 trillion won.

Additionally, emissions from the building sector were 45.2 million tons, down 6.4% from the previous year, and the transportation sector achieved a 2.8% reduction with emissions of 9.5 million tons.

To meet the NDC, South Korea must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 436.6 million tons by 2030, a 40% reduction compared to 2018. Among this, emissions from the four major sectors must be reduced by 472.6 million tons (30.2%) compared to 2018. Based on last year's figures, this means reducing emissions by 116 million tons (24.5%) within seven years.

The government explained that greenhouse gas reductions are proceeding according to plan. The CNGC stated that South Korea's carbon neutrality efforts, social infrastructure, and innovative technology capabilities have been highly evaluated, and that South Korea is the only Asian country recognized as a "Green Leading Country" in the Green Future Index.

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