Dongdaemun-gu Enacts and Promulgates Basic Ordinance on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth

[Seoul District News] Dongdaemun-gu Establishes Institutional Foundation for Carbon Neutrality Implementation to Address Climate Crisis · Fourth Among Seoul Districts to Enact · Launches 'Dongdaemun-gu 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Basic Plan' for Customized Local Policies... Jongno-gu and KB Kookmin Card Promote Eco-Friendly 'AI Recycling Machine Project'... Seoul Gangseo-gu Recruits Students for 'Gangseo Lifelong Learning Campus' Including Woodworking Experience

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongdaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung · photo) announced on the 14th the Basic Ordinance on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Climate Crisis Response in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, establishing an institutional foundation for implementing carbon neutrality in response to the climate crisis.

This ordinance was enacted as the fourth among Seoul's autonomous districts to establish legal delegation and policy promotion grounds based on the "Basic Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Climate Crisis Response," enacted last September to strengthen greenhouse gas reduction and climate crisis adaptation measures.

The main contents include ▲setting greenhouse gas reduction targets and establishing basic plans for carbon neutrality and green growth ▲formation and operation of the Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Committee ▲sectoral greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation policies ▲implementation and expansion of carbon-neutral local communities ▲installation of climate response funds, among others.

In particular, to build a sustainable carbon-neutral urban foundation that residents can directly experience, the ordinance also regulates the discovery and support of sectoral greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation policies such as renewable energy transition, activation of green buildings and green transportation, expansion of eco-friendly vehicle distribution, expansion of carbon sinks, and water management projects, aiming to actively respond to the climate crisis.

Additionally, along with the enactment of the carbon neutrality-related ordinance, the district has started the "Dongdaemun-gu 2050 Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Basic Plan Establishment Project" since June. Through this project, Dongdaemun-gu plans to establish a carbon neutrality vision and prepare systematic, locally tailored policy promotion plans.

District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung stated, "With the enactment of the ordinance necessary for climate crisis response and carbon neutrality, we expect systematic promotion and implementation evaluation of carbon neutrality projects in the future," adding, "We will do our best to create a Dongdaemun-style carbon-neutral city that protects ecosystems from the climate crisis and contributes to sustainable development of the local community and improvement of residents' quality of life."

Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Moon-heon) and KB Kookmin Card (President Lee Chang-kwon) signed a business agreement at 10 a.m. on the 13th in the district mayor’s office to jointly promote the 'Smart AI Can and PET Bottle Recycling Machine Project.'

This project is the second case where Jongno-gu and KB Kookmin Card have joined hands to contribute to greenhouse gas reduction and resource circulation promotion, following last year's launch of the carbon diet eco-friendly reusable cup project.

From planning to cost-sharing and execution, the entire process will be jointly conducted by the public and private sectors. AI recycling machines (nicknamed ‘Nephron’) will be installed at KB Kookmin Card’s Naesudong headquarters and Jongno-gu Office’s temporary building, with each institution operating them for three years.

Users of the AI recycling machines simply need to follow the 'Bihaengbunsok' steps via the Superbin website or app: △Empty the contents of cans and transparent PET bottles (Bi) △Rinse foreign substances with water (Haeng) △Separate the labels (Bun) △Insert into the recycling machine slot (Sok).

Then, the machine analyzes the waste form using AI, IoT, and big data, automatically sorts and compresses cans and PET bottles, and rewards users based on the value of the accepted resources.

Regardless of the shape or size of cans and transparent PET bottles, users earn 10 points per item, and points can be redeemed for cash starting from 2,000 points. The collected resources are processed into high value-added recycled materials for reuse.

The AI recycling machines will be available for use starting August 1 at KB Kookmin Card’s Naesudong headquarters and Jongno-gu Office’s temporary building.

Meanwhile, KB Kookmin Card is part of the ‘Jongno-gu Climate Action Practice Council,’ composed of local public institutions, companies, schools, and environmental organizations, and has actively participated in initiatives such as the '111 Life Practice Movement' (reducing 1 ton of greenhouse gases per person annually).

District Mayor Jeong Moon-heon said, "To actively participate in carbon neutrality and resource conservation for a sustainable local community, we have promoted this project with KB Kookmin Card," adding, "While efforts in the public sector are important, residents’ participation is also essential, so we ask for much interest in the AI can and PET bottle recycling machines."

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Tae-woo) announced that it is recruiting students to participate in the ‘Gangseo Lifelong Learning Campus’ in cooperation with local educational institutions.

The Gangseo Lifelong Learning Campus is a program designed to provide access to diverse and specialized lifelong learning programs through nearby professional educational institutions.

The district will operate four campuses in August with themes including ▲people with disabilities ▲waxing expert training ▲arts ▲creative convergence.

First, the Disabilities Campus targets adult persons with disabilities and offers the course ‘Weaving Life, Writing My Own Autobiography,’ which allows participants to reflect on their life footprints, held at the Disabled Women’s Workforce Development Center.

The Expert Training Campus targets adult women and offers a ‘Waxing Practical Course’ at Yein Vocational School, responding to the growing demand for waxing experts.

The Arts Campus, in collaboration with Woodlock Workshop, offers one-day classes such as ‘Creative Convergence Woodworking Class’ for children and adolescents and ‘Weekend Family Woodworking Experience’ for families.

The Creative Convergence Campus, held at the Gangseo 50 Plus Center, offers a ‘Metaverse VR Production’ course for adults to bridge the digital gap among middle-aged and older adults through metaverse and VR (virtual reality) experiences.

The tuition fees are 20,000 KRW for the Waxing Expert Training and Creative Convergence Campuses, 5,000 KRW for the Arts Campus, and free for the Disabilities Campus.

Applications are open until the 27th, and more detailed information such as application methods by campus can be found on the ‘Gangseo Lifelong Learning Center website (homepage) - Notices’ section.

A district official said, “We hope residents feel the happiness of learning by taking classes they want nearby,” and added, “We will continue to prepare various programs so that residents can easily and conveniently enjoy lifelong learning.”