Shinan-gun, Rising as a Pioneer of Carbon Neutrality

2023 Local Government Carbon Neutrality Best Practices Selected

Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Woo-ryang) was selected as an excellent institution in the 2023 Carbon Neutrality Best Practices hosted by the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation on the 27th, receiving the 'Minister of Environment Institutional Commendation.'

According to the county, Shinan-gun was the only basic local government nationwide to be selected as an excellent carbon neutrality institution this year, serving as an opportunity to widely promote Shinan-gun's efforts toward sustainable regional development and achieving carbon neutrality both domestically and internationally.

The Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation held a conference at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center on the 23rd, selecting and awarding four metropolitan local governments (Gangwon, Busan, Daegu, Incheon), one basic local government (Shinan), and two companies (Korea South-East Power Yeongheung Power Plant Headquarters, SK Incheon Petrochem) as excellent local governments this year.

Shinan-gun was selected as an excellent institution in the 2023 Carbon Neutrality Best Practices and is taking a commemorative photo. [Photo by Shinan-gun]

This evaluation assessed the distinctiveness of projects reflecting regional characteristics, the interest of local leaders, achievement of project outcomes, and applicability and utilization potential by other local governments. The award ceremony was held alongside a case-sharing conference.

In particular, Shinan-gun's main policies are divided into three areas: △ Blue Carbon (UNESCO Mudflat World Heritage registration, mudflat restoration projects, creation of artificial wetlands, distribution of beneficial microorganisms) △ Green Carbon (creation of Amtaedo provincial garden, large-scale forest creation such as ecological restoration of forests on islands in the southwestern coast) △ Renewable Energy (Shinan offshore wind power 8.2GW, solar power generation projects 10GW, profit-sharing system for renewable energy development), with related budgets allocated and multifaceted efforts underway to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

Especially, continuous investment in increasing the use of renewable energy, expanding community participation, and policies to reduce carbon emissions received high evaluations.

These achievements will not only create a sustainable environment for future generations but also establish a model case for domestic and international carbon neutrality policies. It is expected that Shinan-gun's excellent case will positively influence other local governments, leading to active nationwide movements toward carbon neutrality.

Governor Park Woo-ryang stated, “This selection will be an important milestone for Shinan-gun to establish itself as a sustainable development case toward carbon neutrality,” adding, “We will continue to practice carbon neutrality together with local residents and fulfill our role as a leader in carbon neutrality cases both domestically and internationally.”