[미디어SR 이승균 기자] The ‘2021 Carbon Neutral Implementation Plan’ was announced to realize Korea’s carbon neutrality by 2050.
The implementation plan was prepared to present a clear direction for the overall government policy for carbon neutrality in 2050, the Ministry of Environment said on the 3rd.
The Ministry of Environment plans to establish a sophisticated greenhouse gas reduction scenario by June this year to suggest the direction of 2050 carbon neutrality.
The government’s major carbon-neutral initiatives by sector revealed through this announcement by the Ministry of Environment are’clean energy, future vehicles, circular economy, and resilience’.
Renewable energy supply such as floating solar power, hydrothermal energy, offshore wind power, etc.
The Ministry of Environment decided to expand the supply of renewable energy using environmental resources, such as the activation of floating solar power, hydrothermal energy, and offshore wind power.
First of all, we will implement a floating photovoltaic development project (147 megawatt capacity) for five dams (8 projects) including the Hapcheon Dam, and also promote a hydrothermal energy development pilot project for each type of raw water.
To revitalize offshore wind power, the system for the entire process of environmental impact assessment, such as’location discovery → evaluation consultation → follow-up management’, will be improved.
We will support the installation of renewable energy facilities (68 units, 14.2 billion won) in basic environmental facilities (water purification plants, etc.), expand biogas production using organic waste resources (food, livestock manure, etc.) and promote hydrogen supply using them.
Speed of future car transformation strategy, cumulative supply of 300,000 pollution-free vehicles this year
It also speeds up the strategy of converting a pollution-free future car. It will supply pollution-free vehicles, replace internal combustion locomotives with pollution-free vehicles, and significantly expand the charging infrastructure for pollution-free vehicles.
The Ministry of Environment is planning to supply 300,000 (cumulative) non-polluting cars this year through a system such as mandatory purchase (80%) of pollution-free cars in the public sector.
In addition, it will support the construction of a pollution-free vehicle charger panel facility (infrastructure) to spread hydrogen vehicles to the public.
It is decided to build more than 180 hydrogen charging stations within this year through special cases of excavation and approval of new sites for hydrogen charging stations (permission is considered upon approval).
After conducting research services and organizing an expert forum (March), it was decided to prepare a final strategy for the transformation of future vehicles in the second half of this year. The plan is to present a vision for a 100% conversion to pollution-free vehicles in 2050.
Management of the whole process of resource circulation, strengthening regulations on the use of disposable products
Through the’Road Map for Circular Economy Innovation’, we will manage the entire process of resource circulation. Induce eco-friendly management of companies to spread the circular economy implementation. A mid- to long-term step-by-step implementation plan is also prepared, including the achievement of a circular economy by sector such as water and energy.
In order to reduce waste, new targets for reducing the amount of waste generated relative to product production or sales will be established for businesses with large amounts of discharge, and regulations on the use of disposable items (plastic bags, etc.) will be strengthened.
The production of high-quality clothing, etc. will be expanded by separately discharging, sorting, and recycling PET bottles. In the first half of 2021, a step-by-step implementation plan for expanding chemical recycling, such as converting waste plastics into raw materials through pyrolysis, is prepared.
The circular economy is a concept that contrasts with the linear economic model of mass production and consumption and disposal, and refers to an economic structure that considers environmental impacts in the entire process, such as resource use, product design, and recycling.
In the second quarter of this year, a research service will be conducted to prepare the implementation plan for each stage of the circular economy. The plan is to announce the final draft in the fourth quarter of this year after collecting opinions from stakeholders such as the government, local governments, and industry.
Reduction of GHG emissions based on nature and ecology…to increase the resilience of the ecosystem
It will also respond to climate change issues through the natural functions of the ecosystem, such as expanding the restoration of the ecological space, which is a source of carbon absorption, and climate control.
To this end, the Ministry of Environment organizes and operates the’Carbon Neutral Research Forum (tentative name)’ with specialized organizations such as the Korea Environmental Policy and Evaluation Institute (KEI).
Prepare adaptation measures to respond to natural disasters to reduce the impact of climate change. We support the establishment of a community-centered carbon neutral and climate adaptation system.
Depending on the priority of the risk of climate change, a pilot project will be implemented to build a rainwater storage tunnel and an ecological park, which are climate response infrastructure tailored to the region.
In addition, climate impact and vulnerability assessments are reflected when local governments and the state plan for climate change. The Ministry of Environment decided to reflect this year’s plan.
An official from the Ministry of Environment explained to Media SR that “the movement to connect with corporate competitiveness and the environment is strengthening, such as the demand for carbon-neutral participation of major exporting countries and investment in ESG (environmental, social, governance).”
He added, “It is not an easy task due to the high proportion of the manufacturing industry compared to the EU and the US, but a lukewarm response can lead to negative effects such as deterioration in export competitiveness and difficulty in financing.”