President Moon: "Climate Crisis Is an Immediate Issue... We Must Change Energy-Intensive Consumption Patterns" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in stated that the climate crisis is not a distant future issue but a problem of today, emphasizing that "we must change our energy overconsumption habits." He also highlighted the expansion of renewable energy and the structural transition to eco-friendly energy to achieve greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality.

On the 18th, President Moon attended the '2nd Plenary Meeting of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee' and said, "As a responsible member of the international community, we will join efforts for the survival and development of the human community."

This meeting, held ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit in the UK at the end of this month, was essentially to finalize the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario and the upward revision of the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target to be announced at COP26. The existing plan to reduce emissions by 26.3% compared to 2018 levels was significantly raised to a 40% reduction.

President Moon emphasized, "This is the most ambitious reduction target achievable under our circumstances," adding, "Compared to climate-advanced countries that reached their emission peaks in the 1990s or 2000s and have been reducing emissions for a longer period, this is a considerably faster and very challenging goal."

He also promised government support for greenhouse gas reduction. President Moon said, "There will be many concerns in the industrial and labor sectors about whether (greenhouse gas reduction) can truly be managed," and added, "The government will not place the burden solely on businesses and will spare no policy or financial support."

He continued, "It is also time for the public to take action," emphasizing, "To achieve greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality, the entire nation must engage in an all-out effort."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As specific measures to realize carbon neutrality, he emphasized the expansion of renewable energy such as solar and wind power and the transition of the energy structure to eco-friendly energy, while calling for strengthened efforts to expand greenhouse gas absorption sources. In particular, he urged accelerating the distribution of eco-friendly vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars and fostering a hydrogen economy ecosystem.

He also stressed the participation and cooperation of the public to change energy overconsumption habits. President Moon stated, "Our food, clothing, and shelter are the very sources of carbon emissions," adding, "By saving energy as much as possible, using eco-friendly energy, utilizing public transportation, reducing plastic, planting trees, and other small actions, we can move toward a carbon-neutral society."

President Moon expressed concern, saying, "The world is experiencing great difficulties due to abnormal weather caused by global warming," and added, "This summer, record-breaking heavy rain, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires caused numerous casualties and enormous property damage. It is a clear warning from nature to humanity."

He also mentioned that advanced countries such as the EU and the United States are strengthening various environmental regulations, including carbon border taxes, and stated, "To sustain economic growth and enhance national competitiveness, we will accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and realize carbon neutrality."