Seoul City's Efforts for Carbon Neutrality and International Recognition of Realistic and Effective Policies
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The 'Climate Action Plan (CAP)' outlining the goal to achieve a 'carbon-neutral city' with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 has received final approval from the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40). This marks the first time among East Asian cities, including major cities in China and Japan.
According to Seoul City on the 16th, Mark Watts, Executive Director of the C40 Secretariat, sent a letter of approval to Mayor Oh Se-hoon, stating, "Congratulations to Seoul for reaching an important milestone in responding to the climate emergency and achieving carbon neutrality," and added, "We commend Mayor Oh's leadership for a sustainable Seoul and also praise the efforts of Seoul city officials who established an exemplary Climate Action Plan."
C40 is a coalition of major cities worldwide committed to addressing climate change, with 97 member cities including Seoul, New York, London, Paris, Beijing, and Tokyo. The CAP is the implementation plan of C40 member cities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. A Seoul city official explained, "This C40 approval internationally recognizes Seoul's policy efforts toward carbon neutrality," and added, "It also certifies that the CAP established by Seoul is a realistic and effective plan capable of actually reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Seoul is promoting greenhouse gas reduction plans across five major sectors: buildings, transportation, offsets, energy, and resource circulation. Mayor Oh has pledged various policies for carbon neutrality, including expanding electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, establishing a base for ultra-small electric vehicles and electric motorcycles, strengthening regulations and support for air pollutant-emitting businesses, and the Zero Waste Seoul project.
Seoul plans to accelerate greenhouse gas reduction policies, including Mayor Oh's pledged projects, following the final approval from C40. The goal is to lead the international community with a feasible climate change response system.
Mayor Oh stated, "At a time when the whole world is suffering from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), responding to climate change is an extremely important task," and added, "Seoul aims to become a carbon-neutral city with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. I promise the citizens that we will concentrate all our capabilities to surely realize this goal."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
