This year, 11 billion KRW invested to promote carbon neutrality and air quality improvement projects
Ranked No.1 among basic local governments nationwide in environmental management assessment last May
Seosan City in South Chungcheong Province is drawing attention this year by implementing a variety of carbon-neutral policies to become a sustainable eco-friendly city.
The city announced on the 25th that it has invested a total of 11 billion KRW this year to establish itself as a leading city for eco-friendly vehicles and to carry out fine dust reduction projects.
To build a foundation as a leading city for eco-friendly vehicles, the city invested about 8 billion KRW and supplied 556 electric vehicles and 14 hydrogen electric vehicles to its citizens.
In addition, to reduce fine dust from existing vehicles and construction equipment, the city promoted projects such as early scrapping of old diesel vehicles, replacement of construction machinery engines, and installation of emission reduction devices.
Through these projects, 822 old diesel vehicles were scrapped this year, and engines were replaced in 30 construction machines within the city. Emission reduction devices were also installed on 15 grade 5 old diesel vehicles.
In addition to the supply of eco-friendly vehicles and fine dust reduction projects, the city is operating a continuous monitoring system for environmental pollutants by conducting regular inspections of businesses that emit environmental pollutants.
As a result, in May of this year, the city ranked first among all local governments nationwide in the “2024 National Local Government Environmental Management Evaluation for Air and Water Pollutant Emitting Businesses” conducted by the Ministry of Environment.
Since being designated as an environmental education city in 2022, the city has also focused on operating programs to encourage active citizen participation in achieving carbon neutrality.
This year, the city provided participatory education programs such as “Children Raised by Seosan” and “Visiting Village Leader Environmental Education” to about 3,500 citizens and students.
Additionally, the city promoted fine dust reduction and recycling through the smooth operation of the rural waste collection contest and free home appliance collection activities.
Recognized for its excellence, two organizations in the city were selected as outstanding groups at the “2024 Rural Waste Collection Contest” organized by the Korea Environment Corporation in November.
Furthermore, in the 2024 Free Home Appliance Collection Contest hosted by the Ministry of Environment, the city was honored with the Minister of Environment Award in recognition of its achievements in free collection and promotional activities.
The city plans to continue promoting various policies for carbon neutrality and the creation of an eco-friendly city next year as well.
Key plans include investing 15.4 billion KRW to expand the supply and charging infrastructure for eco-friendly vehicles to reduce fine dust, and fully launching the carbon-neutral point system “Carbon UpSyu.”
In particular, the city is accelerating the construction of a resource recovery facility with the goal of starting operations in October next year, and will also proceed with the process of establishing a smart farm using waste heat from the facility.
Mayor Lee Wanseop said, “We will do our best to continuously promote various policies to become an eco-friendly city and create a clean environment where citizens can enjoy a high quality of life.”
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