Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced by 4.4% Last Year... Down to 620 Million Tons, Decreasing for 2 Consecutive Years

2023 Greenhouse Gas Provisional Emissions Analysis
7.6% Decrease in Energy Sector, 3% Decrease in Industrial Sector
Emissions Increase Again When Applying Revised Statistics

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics by Sector Since 2018. Photo by Ministry of Environment

Last year, South Korea's greenhouse gas emissions were recorded at 624.2 million tons, a 4.4% decrease compared to the previous year. This marks a decline for the second consecutive year following 2022.

The Ministry of Environment's Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center released the analysis results of the "2023 National Greenhouse Gas Provisional Emissions" on the 10th, containing this information.

Emissions from the energy conversion sector (electricity and heat production) were 204 million tons, showing the steepest decline of 7.6% compared to last year. This was largely influenced by a 1% decrease in total power generation due to reduced electricity demand in the steel and electronics & telecommunications industries. Additionally, the operation of the new nuclear power plant Shin Hanul Unit 1 increased nuclear power generation by 2.5%, and renewable energy generation rose by 6.6%, contributing to the decrease.

Emissions from the industrial sector were 238.9 million tons, down 3%. Carbon emissions in the petrochemical industry shrank by 3.6 million tons due to the global economic slowdown, and cement production decreased by 2.1%, reducing emissions by 0.8 million tons. In the semiconductor sector, the expansion of process gas reduction facilities led to a larger reduction, and emissions dropped by 53.1% (2.4 million tons) due to decreased display production. However, steel production increased by 2.2 million tons (2.4%) as a result of recovery efforts from the damage caused by Typhoon Hinnamnor.

The transportation sector recorded emissions of 94.9 million tons, a 1% decrease due to reduced driving distances and the expanded adoption of zero-emission vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars. The agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector saw a slight 0.1% decrease influenced by reduced rice cultivation area, and the waste sector decreased by 1.3% due to the continuous reduction in landfill volume.

The government self-assessed that the domestic greenhouse gas emission reduction trend is becoming clear. The Ministry of Environment analyzed, "Despite a temporary increase in emissions due to economic recovery as COVID-19 subsided, the government's emission reduction efforts have begun to show tangible effects since 2022," adding, "Although the gross domestic product has increased annually since 2022, a clear decoupling trend where emissions decrease despite economic growth has emerged."

The Greenhouse Gas Comprehensive Information Center announced that global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 1.1% last year based on international statistics analysis. Emissions decreased in major developed countries such as the United States (-4.1%), the European Union (-9%), Germany (-10.1%), and Japan (-2.5%), but emissions increased mainly in developing countries like China (4.7%) and India (7%).

However, it remains uncertain whether South Korea can achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. Under the Paris Agreement, related countries must submit new greenhouse gas statistics aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines by the end of this year. Applying the revised regulations, South Korea's annual emissions from 1990 to 2021 will show slight increases. For example, if the current 2021 emissions are 676.6 million tons, they will change to 721.4 million tons after the statistical revision. The revised emissions will apply starting from the 2035 NDC, requiring an accelerated reduction pace compared to now.

The government plans to prepare and disclose new reduction measures within this year. The revised statistics include new emission sources, and the main focus will be on limiting these. To reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a major factor in emission increases, the plan is expected to include restrictions on the use of related substances and increased use of renewable refrigerants.