Ban on New Coal-Fired Power Facilities and LNG Conversion
Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun signed the declaration at the 'Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) Membership Declaration Ceremony' held at Songdo G Tower on the 26th, and is taking a commemorative photo with Simon Smith, British Ambassador to Korea (left), and Michael Donaher, Canadian Ambassador to Korea. [Photo by Incheon City]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's 'Powering Past Coal Alliance' (PPCA), actively committing to greenhouse gas reduction and transitioning to eco-friendly energy.
On the 26th, the city held a 'Powering Past Coal Alliance Membership Declaration Ceremony' at G Tower in Songdo International City, attended by Mayor Park Namchun, Michael Donaher, Canadian Ambassador to Korea, Simon Smith, British Ambassador to Korea, and others.
The Powering Past Coal Alliance was launched at the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in 2017 and currently has a total of 111 member organizations, including 34 countries and 33 local governments worldwide. Domestically, Incheon is the fourth city to join after Chungnam, Seoul, and Gyeonggi.
The alliance aims to phase out coal power, the cause of climate change and air pollution, by 2030 for OECD and European Union (EU) member countries, and by 2050 for other countries.
Mayor Park said, "Today marks a historic first step for Incheon City toward a coal-free and carbon-neutral society," emphasizing, "Nature is warning us of the climate crisis through numerous alerts. It is time to achieve a transformative change in our way of life for a sustainable and safe future."
He added, "In line with the government's '2050 Carbon Neutrality' declaration, Incheon City will strive for the early closure of coal-fired power plants (Yeongheung) and conversion to LNG, and will closely cooperate with global cities to spread sustainable eco-friendly energy."
Michael Donaher, Canadian Ambassador to Korea, stated, "Climate knows no borders. Without united action, we will face many economic and environmental difficulties," expressing his expectation that Incheon City will demonstrate leadership in responding to the climate crisis.
Simon Smith, British Ambassador to Korea, also invited, saying, "The COP26 will be held in Glasgow, UK, next November, and I hope Incheon City will participate and join efforts to reduce emissions and fossil fuels."
Incheon City plans to prohibit the installation of new coal-fired power facilities and actively promote the phased conversion of fuel to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and facility closures, using its membership in the Powering Past Coal Alliance as an opportunity.
Joining the alliance is also expected to impact the operation of the Yeongheung Power Plant. Built in 1994 on Yeongheung Island, Ongjin County, Incheon, the Yeongheung Power Plant accounts for 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions from Incheon.
For this reason, the citizen environmental group 'Climate Crisis Incheon Emergency Action' has urged Incheon City to join the Powering Past Coal Alliance and demanded the phased closure of the Yeongheung Power Plant by 2030.
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