Full-Scale Transition Centered on the National Industrial Complex
Recognition for Energy Self-Sufficiency and Reduction Strategies in Industrial Complexes
Step-by-Step Development Through 2030
Synergy Expected with the "Representative Model for Carbon Neutral Industrial Complexes"
On December 15, the city of Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province announced that it has been finally selected as a target site for the "Carbon Neutral Leading City Development Project" promoted by the Ministry of Climate.
This project, which has been carried out by the Ministry of Climate (formerly the Ministry of Environment) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport since 2024, aims to expand the foundation for carbon neutrality led by local communities and the private sector. Only five local governments nationwide, including Gumi, were selected.
With this selection, a budget of 300 million won for establishing the basic plan for Gumi's carbon neutral leading city will be included in the 2026 government budget. Starting next year, the Ministry of Climate will begin work on formulating the basic plan.
Since the total project cost has not been determined, the city plans to focus on incorporating strategic projects with significant greenhouse gas reduction effects and high economic feasibility into the basic plan.
Based on Gumi City's input, the Ministry of Climate will finalize the basic plan next year and determine the scale of the project and the amount of national funding to be provided.
Based on this, the full-scale development of the "Carbon Neutral Leading City" centered around the Gumi National Industrial Complex will be promoted through 2030.
During the selection process, Gumi City emphasized the need to improve the energy self-sufficiency rate of the industrial complex and the connection with the establishment of a regional integrated biogas facility.
In particular, the city proposed effective reduction projects focusing on the energy and waste sectors, such as installing rooftop solar panels in the national industrial complex and introducing energy reduction equipment at sewage treatment plants.
The reasons why Gumi is attracting attention as a carbon neutral leading city are clear. With five national industrial complexes, the city can intensively implement industrial and environmental policies. In addition, many companies that have joined RE100, such as Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDI, LG Electronics, LG Innotek, and SK Siltron, are located there, providing strong private sector momentum for greenhouse gas reduction.
Following its selection as the "Representative Model for Carbon Neutral Industrial Complexes" in September, Gumi is solidifying its position as a key city for industrial complex-based carbon neutrality policies with this latest designation as a leading city.
If the two projects are linked, it is expected to create significant synergy by integrating energy transition, demand management systems, and waste resource utilization within the industrial complexes.
Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho said, "Gumi City continues to cooperate with private and government institutions to ensure that carbon neutrality policies can be effectively applied at industrial sites, and we are gradually establishing the necessary foundation."
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