Gwangjin-gu to Reduce Public Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50% by 2030

Goal to reduce emissions by over 50% from baseline by 2030... Accelerating Carbon Neutrality
158 Public Buildings in the Region Participate... Enhancing Accountability through Quarterly Performance Disclosure
Building Energy Rating System and Greenhouse Gas Cap to be Implemented from 2025... Targeting Large Buildings Including Government Offices

Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) has announced a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the public sector by more than 50% by 2030 in response to the climate crisis.

The ‘Public Sector Greenhouse Gas Target Management System’ aims to reduce emissions by 50% compared to the average greenhouse gas emissions from 2007 to 2009 by 2030. Gwangjin-gu has taken the lead among public institutions to implement this as part of the national effort to overcome the climate crisis.

Starting this year, a ‘Building Greenhouse Gas Manager’ will be appointed to continuously encourage cooperation from public officials. Each of the 54 departments will designate a manager to inspect the implementation status of greenhouse gas reduction. Performance will be disclosed quarterly to enhance accountability and transparency of information.

From 2025, the ‘Building Energy Rating System’ will be fully implemented. Stricter standards will be applied to large public buildings with a total floor area of 1,000㎡ or more. The district will target 41 locations including government offices, welfare facilities, and libraries.

These buildings will be assigned one of five ratings based on their energy usage in 2022. The rating will change annually according to the previous year’s greenhouse gas emissions, and low-carbon buildings will be certified to provide motivation.

The ‘Building Greenhouse Gas Cap System’ will also be implemented concurrently. A total allowable greenhouse gas emission will be set according to building type for systematic management. Managers must prepare and submit an energy-saving implementation checklist quarterly.

In addition, various efforts will be made to save energy. One hundred fifty-eight public buildings will accelerate carbon neutrality by using products that reduce standby power, turning off unnecessary lights, and holding paperless meetings. Appropriate indoor temperatures will be maintained in public institutions even during the high electricity usage periods of midsummer and winter.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “We have devised proactive measures to set an example starting with public institutions in response to the climate crisis,” and added, “I hope everyone will participate with a proactive mindset of ‘Let me start first’ for the sake of future generations.”