Environment Minister: "2050 Carbon Strategy Once Deemed Impossible, Dramatic Turnaround Thanks to President Moon's Declaration"

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "Relevant ministries raised many issues regarding the 2050 Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LEDS), and the prevailing opinion was that it was (implementation) impossible. However, a dramatic turnaround occurred when President Moon Jae-in declared in his policy speech on the 28th of last month that 'we will aim for carbon neutrality.'"

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae stated this on the 19th during his congratulatory remarks at a public hearing jointly hosted by the Ministry of Environment and the National Assembly Climate Change Forum.

Minister Cho explained the hearing as "an event to publicly discuss and finalize the LEDS, which is to be submitted by the end of the year, serving as a kind of closing."

He continued, "The Green Committee will review it in mid-next month, and after the Cabinet meeting's approval in the same week, it will be officially submitted (to the UN as LEDS). Although many parts will need to be supplemented going forward, this is a moment to gain consent from the National Assembly, representing the people, on the overall framework of Korea's LEDS report."

Minister Cho expressed pride in being able to use the terms '2050 Carbon Neutrality' and '2050 Net Zero' at this event, saying, "Around this time last year, on my first anniversary in office, I said I would lead a net zero declaration under any circumstances, and since then, the Ministry of Environment has never given up on net zero."

He emphasized that although a scenario of '75% carbon neutrality' rather than '100% carbon neutrality' was derived during the discussion process, in the end, they were able to declare '100% neutrality,' which was deeply moving.

Earlier, among the five scenarios proposed by the Low Carbon Society Vision Forum to the government in February, the strongest Plan 1 included the goal of '75% carbon neutrality by 2050 and 100% by 2062,' but Minister Cho's message was that the final plan had progressed beyond this.

After receiving the Vision Forum's plan, the government formed an inter-ministerial consultative body in March to prepare the LEDS government report to be submitted to the UN. The consultative body included 15 ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

Minister Cho revealed, "This year, government ministries implicitly negotiated with the 'net zero' plan rather than the 75% plan," adding, "During that process, relevant ministries raised many issues, and the dominant opinion was that it was 'impossible.'"

He added, "We never let go of the rope," and "When President Moon declared in his policy speech that 'we will aim for carbon neutrality,' a dramatic turnaround truly occurred."

Minister Cho said, "The road to 2050 net zero is really tough, and the mountains to climb are high," quoting President Moon, "Americans and Europeans won't find it easy either. If you are determined, you must lead change with positive will," and added, "I convey this message to the public whenever I have the chance."

He emphasized, "I believe that all changes in Korean society over the next 30 years will be achieved through net zero," and "I believe that change must be realized."