Gyeonggi Province will implement a 'Carbon Neutrality Response Support Package' project to strengthen the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the province to respond to global environmental regulations.
According to Gyeonggi Province on March 3, the province will launch carbon emissions calculation and reduction consulting support, as well as support services for obtaining the European Union (EU) Ecolabel certification. The province announced that it will recruit 25 companies from within the province to participate in this program by March 11.
The carbon emissions calculation and reduction consulting support project helps companies establish systems for calculating and reporting carbon emissions, analyzes emission data to identify reduction factors, and supports the development of reduction strategies. A specialized institution will visit company sites to provide tailored consulting, with a total of 20 companies eligible for support.
The EU Ecolabel certification support service is designed to enhance the competitiveness of eco-friendly products in the EU market by subsidizing all expenses incurred during the certification process. After the certification is acquired, the support funds are reimbursed. Up to 4 million won is available per company, and five companies will be selected for this support.
Since January of this year, the EU has been implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Companies exporting six items-steel, cement, aluminum, electricity, fertilizer, and hydrogen-to the EU market must calculate the carbon emissions generated during the production process and submit this data to EU importers. Recently, not only the EU but also major domestic and international clients have been strengthening carbon management across their supply chains. As a result, establishing a system for calculating carbon emissions, managing and verifying data, and preparing required documentation has become essential for ongoing transactions and new contracts. The ability to handle these tasks is now directly linked to export competitiveness.
Applications can be submitted through the Gyeonggi Business Secretary website (www.egbiz.or.kr).
Additionally, Gyeonggi Province will conduct the 'On-Site Carbon Neutrality Response Preliminary Diagnosis Service' for 30 companies within the province. The province will also hold 10 sessions of 'Carbon Neutrality Response Education and Seminars.' Last month, Gyeonggi Province held one carbon neutrality education session, and on March 23, it will conduct a session themed 'Perfect Response to EU Environmental Regulations.'
Kyungseo Park, Director of International Trade at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Since the full implementation of the EU CBAM, submitting carbon emissions data has become not just a matter of regulatory compliance but a key factor in corporate evaluation and competitiveness. In response to these changes in the global trade environment, we will proactively support local exporting companies so that they can strengthen their capacity to respond to trade regulations and enhance their competitiveness through carbon neutrality initiatives."
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