Seoul City Declares "Carbon Emission Zero City by 2050 through Green New Deal"

Mayor Park Won-soon to Present at 'CAC Global Summit 2020' Climate and Environment Session on 3rd
Transition to Decarbonized Urban Operation System ... Detailed Projects to Be Announced This Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Mayor Park Won-soon declared that Seoul will transition into a 'Net Zero city' and achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

On the third day of the 'CAC Global Summit 2020,' during the 'Climate and Environment Session' on the 3rd, Mayor Park spoke on the theme "Seoul's Vision Against the Climate Crisis," stating, "We will transform the urban operation system into a decarbonized framework to create sustainable industries and jobs that do not rely on carbon, and build a city that is livable for socially vulnerable groups."

The Climate and Environment Session, subtitled 'The Climate Crisis Viewed Through Consilience,' discussed the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) triggered by the climate crisis and the subsequent major social transformation from various perspectives over approximately 100 minutes in two parts. Six domestic and international experts, including Samuel Bowles, a world-renowned behavioral economist and author of 'Moral Economy' and recipient of the Leontief Prize; Professor Choi Jae-chun, Ewha Womans University Chair Professor; and Simon Smith, British Ambassador to Korea, gathered to share insights.

Professor Samuel Bowles advised in his presentation that "to encourage participation in responding to the climate crisis, it is essential to elicit voluntary participation from citizens. Traditional incentive methods like fines actually hinder voluntary citizen engagement, so it is important to design systems where citizens with civic-mindedness can express their morality."

Professor Choi Jae-chun emphasized the need to prepare for ecological transition by explaining the connection between COVID-19 and the climate crisis in his presentation titled 'Time for Ecological Transition.'

Mayor Park and session participants also discussed directions for social transformation to respond to the climate crisis in the post-COVID era. Ambassador Simon Smith and researcher Lee Yoo-jin from the Green Transition Research Institute offered various suggestions, including practical measures for Green New Deal policies and ways to build solidarity with the international community.

Seoul City aims to aggressively implement the 'Seoul Green New Deal' policy based on eight years of experience and know-how in responding to climate change, creating integrated synergies that transcend sectoral boundaries. To build a safe city against infectious diseases and the climate crisis after COVID-19, policies and detailed projects in four major areas?buildings, transportation, parks, and ecological circulation?will be prepared and implemented within this month.

This also reflects the intent and content of the policy proposal titled 'Seoul's Strategic Plan to Achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050,' delivered to Seoul City by the 'Seoul Climate Action Forum' on the 29th of last month.

Mayor Park pointed out, "The curse of the climate crisis left behind the blessing of quantitative growth is sending a clear signal to humanity at the crossroads of a huge ecological and civilizational transformation called COVID-19." He added, "Quantitative growth focused on efficiency, which leads to urban overcrowding, ecological destruction, and increased greenhouse gases, can no longer be valid. With an urgent heart to protect the survival rights of future generations, we will strongly promote the Green New Deal with citizens and transform into an environmental city that becomes a global model."

The CAC Global Summit Climate and Environment Session was broadcast live in Korean and English (simultaneous interpretation) on Seoul City's official YouTube channel, and the video is available for replay at any time.