Ministry of Environment Signs MOU with 19 Companies and Institutions Including Households, Businesses, and Schools to Promote Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practices

Exploring Ways to Strengthen Exchange and Cooperation for Establishing Carbon Neutral Lifestyle at the Roundtable

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] On the afternoon of the 25th, the Ministry of Environment held a 'Business Agreement Ceremony for the Expansion of Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practice' at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with the Korea Climate and Environment Network and 19 companies and institutions related to households, businesses, and schools.

The companies and institutions participating in this agreement are composed of nine sectors including finance, transportation, education, tourism, information technology, households, distribution, manufacturing, and telecommunications to provide information on practicing a carbon-neutral lifestyle and to lead its implementation at the contact points with the public.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae, Lee Eun-hee, Executive Director of the Korea Climate and Environment Network, and representatives from 19 companies and institutions across the nine sectors.

The attendees gathered on the stage of the event venue, pledged to take the lead in spreading the practice of a carbon-neutral lifestyle to all citizens, and signed the electronic agreement.

Through this agreement, the Ministry of Environment plans to actively support companies and institutions to smoothly carry out carbon-neutral lifestyle practice activities. Following the publication and nationwide distribution of three types of the 'Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practice Guide' in August this year, various promotional videos and graphic materials to continuously lead carbon-neutral lifestyle practices will be distributed.

The participating companies and institutions will use promotional materials such as the 'Carbon Neutral Lifestyle Practice Guide' to conduct public campaigns and environmental improvement activities for carbon neutrality, as well as customized carbon-neutral education.

Companies and institutions in the household sector, such as the Korea Association of Housing Managers, will provide guidance on carbon-neutral lifestyle rules using elevator advertisement screens and bulletin boards within apartment complexes nationwide. They will also promote education for housing managers on 'Carbon Neutral Practice Plans within Complexes.'

Other companies will widely promote carbon-neutral lifestyle rules using their promotional channels such as electronic billboards and social networking services (SNS), conduct public recycling activities for packaging and containers, and hold citizen participation events using the 'Climate Action 1.5℃ App.'

Following the agreement ceremony, a 'Roundtable for Realizing a Carbon Neutral Society' was held. Stakeholders shared their opinions on the 2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC) approved by the 2050 Carbon Neutral Committee on the 18th, and explored cooperation measures necessary for realizing carbon neutrality. The Ministry of Environment plans to review the opinions discussed at this roundtable and reflect them in various policies for realizing a carbon-neutral society.

Minister Han said, "This agreement ceremony is a place where companies, public institutions, and the education sector leading the establishment of a carbon-neutral lifestyle reaffirm their commitment and promise cooperation," adding, "Starting with the companies and institutions attending today, I hope the wave of carbon neutrality will vigorously spread to all households, businesses, and schools."