Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Korea vows to take leading role in fighting climate change
President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech on Seoul's efforts to fight climate change at the 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday (local time). Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
Seoul comes with ambitious package against climate crisis
By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea, regarded as a late starter in moves toward attaining carbon neutrality, has unveiled ambitious proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of taking a leading role in the global fight against climate change.
President Moon Jae-in made the proposals in a speech at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday (local time).
Moon officially introduced South Korea's accelerated goal for carbon neutrality ― the country is committed to cutting carbon emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030. The reduction target was raised from the 26.3 percent set in 2020 and from 35 percent stated in a relevant bill passed at the National Assembly in August
“This is a bold objective that was raised by about 14 percentage points from the previous target,” Moon told the climate summit, which is being participated in by more than 100 global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“This is a very challenging task of having to steeply reduce greenhouse gases in a short period of time. It is not an easy task, but South Korea has decided now is the time to act.”
Moon also stressed his administration's efforts toward carbon neutrality.
“Following the inauguration of our government, eight coal-fired power plants were shut down. By the end of this year, two additional plants are scheduled to close. We will put a complete end to coal-fired power generation by 2050,” he said.
“Moreover, official financial support for the construction of new coal-fired power plants overseas has already been suspended.”
In particular, South Korea's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions was highlighted by its decision to participate in the Global Methane Pledge, a global pact to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
“Methane has a much higher greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. Reducing it is an important part of solving the climate crisis,” Moon said.
At the G20 Summit which was held in Rome before the COP26, the President said South Korea was doubling down on lowering methane emissions.
“Although South Korea's methane emissions are relatively low, we actively agree with relevant reduction efforts and will join the Global Methane Pledge,” he said Monday.
Moon, an advocate of engagement with North Korea, also said his administration will try to cut down on carbon emissions on the Korean Peninsula as a whole by pushing for tree planting campaigns in the North.
“We will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the entire Korean Peninsula through forestry cooperation between the South and North Korea.”
North Korea is known for severe deforestation due to excessive logging for fuel, which has been blamed for flooding and many other natural disasters. In that respect, its leader Kim Jong-un has called for efforts to restore the forests since he came to power, ordering the construction of greenhouse farms and tree nurseries across the country and making on-site inspections to check on progress.
President Moon also said Seoul will help developing countries transform to low-carbon economies.
“Korea is a country growing from a developing nation into an advanced one and will aggressively contribute to reach a balanced agreement between the two sides on climate change.”
He vowed to increase official development assistance on Green New Deal projects and continue assistance via a public-private partnership with Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, an international initiative to accelerate the response to climate change and the implementation of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.