Government, biz promote environmental values ahead of P4G summit

By Nam Hyun-woo

The government is joining with private companies to promote public awareness of environmental values ahead of the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit.

The two-day virtual summit is scheduled to kick off May 30 under the theme “Inclusive Green Recovery towards Carbon Neutrality.” The summit aims to build momentum and solidarity in the international community to respond to climate change, promote inclusive growth and reach sustainable development goals. It will be the first multilateral environmental summit to be hosted by Korea.

To promote public awareness before the event, its organizers ― officials from the foreign affairs and environment ministries ― have signed memoranda of understanding with 23 companies, and public and non-governmental organizations to jointly promote public awareness of climate change. They include IKEA Korea, Jeju Province Development, SK Telecom, Samsung Electronics, Hyosung TNC, Coupang and Pulmuone.

As part of those efforts, Orga Whole Foods, a Pulmuone affiliate, ran an environmental campaign with the Dutch Embassy from April 23 to May 5, comprised of booths promoting the reduction of waste and the circular economy at the Everland Resort in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Coupang, an e-commerce firm, will hold a promotional sale of limited edition eco-friendly products, while IKEA Korea will exhibit eco-friendly furniture at all of its outlets nationwide throughout this month.

“The 2021 P4G Seoul Summit is aimed at not only building environmental solidarity between states but also improving individual practices,” said Yoo Yeon-chul, executive director of the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit Preparatory Office. “We expect these campaigns will guide more people to pay greater attention to climate change and the summit.”