Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province is actively responding to the climate change crisis and striving to become a 'leading city for carbon neutrality' by preparing various policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating efforts to encourage county-wide carbon-neutral living practices.
▲Spreading the Atmosphere of Carbon Neutrality Practice in Schools
In celebration of Environment Day, starting in May, with the cooperation of the Uljin Office of Education, activities are being carried out to raise awareness of the importance of carbon neutrality among local students. These include promoting the carbon point system, conducting used battery collection campaigns, and encouraging pledges to practice carbon neutrality.
Additionally, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a business agreement has been signed to activate a cooperative network for environmental education. Visiting environmental education is being provided to cultivate students' basic knowledge and capabilities to prevent and solve various environmental issues such as climate change. This year, six schools have applied and are currently receiving education. In the future, the county plans to expand carbon neutrality education and activities to further encourage voluntary participation from students, the future generation.
▲Implementation of Public Contest Projects in the Environmental Sector for Climate Change Response
To promote voluntary environmental conservation and educational activities led by the private sector and to spread a sustainable culture of carbon-neutral practice, two environmental organizations carried out climate change response projects last year. These included making zero-waste daily necessities and conducting PET bottle recycling experience education.
This year, a public contest was held on topics such as carbon neutrality practice in the environmental sector for climate change response. One non-profit organization was selected in the first half of the year, and one more organization will be recruited in the second half.
▲Implementation of the 1st Selection Project for Outstanding Carbon Neutrality Practice Villages
To foster empathy and active participation among residents regarding the climate crisis, the county launched the first project to select outstanding villages practicing carbon neutrality. Currently, about 20 villages in 10 towns and townships have shown interest and applied to participate. These villages must strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy and recycling resources until November. After the project concludes, participation rates and achievements in carbon neutrality practices will be evaluated, and six outstanding villages will be selected at the end of the year to receive incentives.
▲Operation of an In-house Carbon Neutrality Practice Task Force to Promote the Carbon Point System
To promote the carbon point system and expand membership, the county has hired carbon neutrality practice assistants and formed an in-house carbon neutrality practice task force team. They are operating mobile registration centers at the village level and conducting a pledge campaign for carbon-neutral living practices.
Currently, all 210 vehicles allocated to Uljin County for the carbon neutrality point system in the automobile sector have been recruited. In the energy sector, the number of participating households has increased by more than 80% compared to the previous year, actively encouraging resident participation.
County Governor Son Byeongbok said, "Overcoming the climate crisis is a responsibility that both the current and future generations must work on together. I hope that all residents will take an interest and participate in achieving carbon neutrality."
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