Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungnam, Re-elected as Co-chair of Under2 Coalition Asia-Pacific Region

Leading South Korea's Carbon Neutrality and Contributing to the Global Spread of Climate Action

Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungnam Province, was re-elected as the Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition Asia-Pacific region.

According to the province on the 27th, the Under2 Coalition is an international organization addressing the climate crisis, with activities involving 44 countries and 193 central and local governments worldwide.

The coalition elects co-chairs divided into four continental regions: Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Africa, with a term of two years.

As the co-chair term from 2022 to 2024 ended this month, Governor Kim participated again in the 2024-2026 chair election and was re-elected following the approval of the operating organization.

Over the past two years, Governor Kim has led South Korea’s carbon neutrality efforts and contributed to the global spread of climate action. He expanded the foundation for international climate cooperation by proactively proposing financial support for carbon neutrality in developing countries and declared Chungnam as a Special Province for Carbon Neutral Economy, promising support for new energy technologies and the creation of future jobs.

Last year, he actively promoted carbon neutrality by attending various international conferences such as the Climate Reality Project’s "Climate Leadership Training" founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), and the Asia Renewable Energy Forum hosted by the Climate Group.

Going forward, Governor Kim plans to strengthen cooperation and implementation with local governments in the Under2 Coalition and take a leading role to ensure that local government climate actions are included in the national greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Alongside Governor Kim, the co-chairs leading the Under2 Coalition are: John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, United Kingdom (Europe); Mauricio Kuri Gonz?lez, Governor of Quer?taro, Mexico (Americas); and Alan Winde, Premier of Western Cape, South Africa (Africa).

Governor Kim Tae-heum stated, "Chungnam has a high proportion of coal-fired power plants and high-carbon emission industries, so economic restructuring toward low-carbon industries is urgent. We will implement policies to ensure successful economic restructuring and encourage voluntary carbon neutrality practices in daily life."