Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other attendees at the 2024 Clean Air International Forum, which opened on the 5th.
The 6th Gyeonggi-do ‘2024 Clean Air International Forum’ opened on the 5th this year.
Gyeonggi-do announced that the ‘2024 Clean Air International Forum,’ an international event where local governments in the Asia-Pacific region, international environmental organizations, and others share opinions and discuss solutions on air pollution and climate crisis issues, opened on this day at the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency Gwanggyo Hall and will continue until the 6th.
Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated in his opening remarks that they have fulfilled all three promises made at last year’s Clean Air International Forum: ▲installation of fine dust scanning lidar ▲establishment of the Gyeonggi RE100 platform and Climate Action Opportunity Income app ▲and refraining from using disposable products.
He then promised three more initiatives for this year, just like last year: launching three climate satellites, enrolling all residents in climate insurance, and establishing a climate fund.
Governor Kim emphasized, "Gyeonggi-do will be the first in South Korea to launch three climate satellites as early as the end of next year, or at the latest, the beginning of the year after next. This is something that even the central government has not done, but Gyeonggi-do is taking the lead." He added, "The data from the climate satellites will be accumulated in the Gyeonggi RE100 data and used to measure carbon emissions and reductions in real time, which will be reflected in policies."
He continued, "Gyeonggi-do will cover the insurance premiums so that all residents can enroll in climate insurance. To address the climate divide, which will deepen like the imbalance in the information age, we will be the first in South Korea to implement this next year, including vulnerable groups and registered foreigners in Gyeonggi-do who may suffer damage."
He also promised, "Next year, we will create and implement a climate fund that allows residents to receive dividends from fund participation and produce renewable energy."
Furthermore, he said, "A week ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act is unconstitutional in response to climate lawsuits proposed by groups such as Youth Climate Action and Baby Climate Litigation Team. Now, the older generation has the obligation to answer the questions of future generations. Gyeonggi-do will respond most actively to climate change and for the sake of blue skies."
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered the keynote speech titled ‘Beyond the Climate Crisis Era Toward a Sustainable Future!’ and stated, "The number of early deaths in South Korea due to ultrafine dust was 34,000 in 2020, and if the ultrafine dust concentration remains at the current level, it is expected to reach 110,000 by 2050." He emphasized, "The number of domestic deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted nearly four years, was 34,000. A revolutionary transformation that changes humanity’s way of survival itself is necessary."
He added, "This is not a matter of choice. It is an inevitable issue we must address to survive," and argued, "No matter how strong or resource-rich a country is, it cannot handle this ultra-large, transboundary challenge alone."
Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also proposed two measures, hoping Governor Kim Dong-yeon would suggest them to the government: having the president chair the Carbon Neutrality Green Growth Committee and establishing a permanent special climate committee in the National Assembly to recommend related laws and budgets.
This event is held annually and is now in its 6th year. Gyeonggi-do continues to work with the Asia-Pacific local governments and the international community as a breathing community to address the climate crisis and improve air quality.
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