Gyeongbuk Province Opens 'Carbon Neutral Support Center' to Address Climate Crisis

Kumoh National Institute of Technology Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Officially Launches 'Gyeongbuk Carbon Neutral Support Center'

Gumi Kumoh National Institute of Technology Industry-Academic Cooperation Building.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwi-yeol] On the 7th, Gyeongbuk Province held an opening ceremony for the ‘Gyeongbuk Carbon Neutrality Support Center’ at Kumoh National Institute of Technology in Gumi, attended by about 100 people including Deputy Governor Kang Seong-jo, Gumi Deputy Mayor Bae Yong-su, Kumoh National Institute of Technology President Kwak Ho-sang, and local companies.

The Gyeongbuk Carbon Neutrality Support Center was established to support regional carbon neutrality policies and promote green growth in accordance with Article 68 of the ‘Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Climate Crisis Response.’

After document and on-site evaluations, the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Kumoh National Institute of Technology was finally selected on the 14th of last month.

The Carbon Neutrality Support Center will undertake tasks such as ▲establishing basic carbon neutrality plans and local climate crisis adaptation measures and supporting cities and counties ▲developing carbon neutrality construction models by sector including energy, industry, and transportation ▲conducting carbon neutrality-related surveys, research, education, and publicity ▲calculating and analyzing greenhouse gas statistics and supporting greenhouse gas reduction-aware budget analysis ▲providing carbon neutrality consulting support for companies.

To achieve carbon neutrality in Gyeongbuk, it is necessary to establish and implement policies tailored to the characteristics of regional greenhouse gas emissions. The newly established Carbon Neutrality Support Center is expected to play a significant role in supporting customized carbon neutrality policies suitable for our region and assisting local companies with low-carbon management and carbon neutrality consulting.

According to the Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Information Center, as of 2019, the total domestic greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 700 million tons, of which the industrial sector emitted 239 million tons (34%). In our province, out of 58.05 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, 40.97 million tons (71%) were from the industrial sector, making the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector essential for Gyeongbuk’s carbon neutrality.

Following the opening ceremony, the ‘Carbon Neutrality Technology Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Forum’ was held with about 100 participants including the Korean Society of Environmental Engineers, city and county carbon neutrality officers, and environmental engineers from companies.

Through discussions among research institutions and experts from various fields, time was spent exploring practical measures for the industrial sector, which accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the province.

Deputy Governor Kang Seong-jo said, “The climate change crisis may come to us at any time, in any form. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is essential for us and future generations,” and added, “We will actively support efforts to respond to the climate crisis in Gyeongbuk together with this center.”