Songpa-gu Carbon Neutral City 'Smooth Sailing'... Expected to Achieve 91,131 Tons Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions This Year

Expected to Easily Achieve 91,131 Tons of Greenhouse Gas Reduction This Year... 16,235 Tons (18%) Reduced in Q1

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) announced on the 10th that the 'Songpa-type Green New Deal Carbon Neutral City Plan,' established last year as the first among Seoul's autonomous districts, is progressing smoothly.

On April 30th, the district held the first TF meeting of the 2021 Carbon Neutral City Plan with nine departments involved in greenhouse gas reduction projects in attendance.

After reviewing the first quarter progress of 40 projects, it was found that 16,236 tons, or 18% of this year's greenhouse gas reduction target of 91,131 tons, were reduced in the first quarter.

Among the building, transportation, waste, public, and green infrastructure sectors, the building and transportation sectors achieved high results of 24% and 29%, respectively. This is interpreted as due to the district's conditions with many residential complexes and the high penetration rate of eco-friendly vehicles.

Notably, the 'Green Building Design Standards' were applied to 11 newly constructed buildings, achieving the highest reduction performance of a total of 10,102 tons.

Following this, projects such as ▲'Expansion of Eco-friendly Vehicle Distribution Support' ▲'Expansion of Food Waste Biogas' ▲'Activation of Large Home Appliance EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)' showed excellent results.

Additionally, green lifestyle practice campaigns such as ▲'Reducing Digital Carbon Footprint' ▲'Jumppging at Seokchon Lake' were also cited as best practices.

Despite 16 out of the total 40 detailed projects not being implemented due to reasons such as the project period not yet arrived or subsidies not granted, the district achieved 18% of this year's target. Therefore, it is expected that the reduction rate will significantly increase in the second quarter when the main projects begin in earnest.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su said, "At the current pace, the reduction target of 91,131 tons for this year will be easily achieved," and added, "We will strive to discover various new projects for carbon reduction and establish ourselves as a leading carbon-neutral city."

Last September, Songpa-gu established the 'Comprehensive Carbon Neutral Plan' as the first among Seoul's autonomous districts, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and is making every effort in the projects.

With the vision of 'Songpa, a world-class carbon-neutral city where people and nature coexist,' the district has prepared 40 representative projects such as planting 2 million trees throughout the district by 2022, distributing reusable containers for delivery, Songpa Sharing Power Plant, and recycling fallen leaves, and is leading the realization of carbon neutrality by discovering new projects through the Carbon Neutral Promotion TF.