- Province hosts international conference on carbon neutrality, fostering a platform for intergovernmental cooperation
- Governor Kim Tae-heum emphasizes strong leadership through the sharing of carbon neutrality experience
Buyeo, 29 October - Chungcheongnam-do, at the forefront of South Korea’s national carbon neutrality policy, today expressed its commitment to leading carbon neutrality efforts across the Asia-Pacific region with robust leadership, sharing experiences and strengthening alliances with local governments worldwide.
Chungcheongnam-do today held its “2024 Chungcheongnam-do Carbon Neutrality International Conference” at Lotte Resort in Buyeo. The event brought together over 1,500 carbon neutrality experts from 15 countries, including Kim Tae-heum, Vice Minister of Environment Lee Byung-hwa, and Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group.
The two-day conference, co-hosted with the global NGO Climate Group to promote global carbon neutrality and intergovernmental collaboration, will run under the theme “Accelerating Climate Action: Local Climate Leadership and Global Partnership.”
On the first day, the event opened with an inaugural ceremony and keynote speeches, followed by Chungcheongnam-do’s official signing of the "Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC)", a group of 18 states and provinces in 12 countries that are leading the way on slashing methane emissions.
Governor Kim of Chungcheongnam-do signing the SMAC Memorandum of Understanding
In his keynote address, Governor Kim stated that, “Chungcheongnam-do, the region with the nation’s highest carbon emissions due to a concentration of carbon-intensive industries, has declared itself a Special Economic Zone for Carbon Neutrality—a bold move akin to a school underdog aiming for the top spot. This declaration reflects our province’s proactive and determined commitment to carbon neutrality.”
He introduced Chungcheongnam-do's efforts, which include:
- Transitioning away from coal and restructuring industries
- Promoting a culture of carbon neutrality and attracting R&D institutions
- Proposing a Special Act to support areas affected by coal plant closures
- Committing to a 35% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, five years ahead of the national target
Governor Kim also outlined three core roles Chungcheongnam-do will play in achieving carbon neutrality across the Asia-Pacific region:
- As a central point for carbon neutrality efforts in the Asia-Pacific, the province will promote the Under2 Coalition’s involvement among local governments and strengthen international cooperation toward carbon neutrality.
- It will offer support to developing nations in the form of technology transfer, financial assistance, and policy cooperation, sharing its accumulated experience as a model for local governments worldwide.
- It will urge local governments around the world to actively participate in two proposals aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
Governor Kim added, “I encourage local governments to participate on the international stage to share best practices on carbon neutrality and engage in joint projects such as methane reduction and carbon neutrality in the steel industry. We should establish concrete, practical climate action plans, make them transparent, and gain public support for active participation.”
“Today’s step of Chungcheongnam-do is incredibly important”, said Nehmat Kaur, Director of Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments. “It shows how subnational governments are leading the way on climate action, and how they join forces in tackling the urgent methane-issue, while benefiting of each other’s expertise. This is exactly the leadership the world needs – but is lacking at national and international level. Once again it’s the subnational governments leading the way.”
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Governor Kim giving his keynote address
Following Governor Kim, Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, spoke on “The Role of Local Governments in Carbon Neutrality.” Ken Alex, Director of SMAC, emphasized the importance of local governments in global methane reduction in their keynote speeches.
Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, speaking at the Chungcheongnam-do Carbon Neutrality International Conference
The province formally joined SMAC after Governor Kim’s announced their methane reduction roadmap during Climate Week NYC in September. Moving forward, Chungcheongnam-do will actively participate in SMAC’s initiatives, sharing policies on methane reduction and expanding participation among global local governments.
Over the two days, the conference focuses on:
- Global climate action meetings involving national and local governments
- Collaborative measures to address climate crises
- Carbon neutrality goals for local governments in Korea and China
- Case studies on methane reduction and international cooperation
- Carbon neutrality and air quality research across five sessions
On the second day, an International Forum on Air Quality Improvement and a site visit to policy facilities are planned.
Governor Kim concluded, “I hope this international conference serves as a meaningful opportunity to bring about tangible changes in responding to the climate crisis. We aim to see more local governments join in climate action, and for both national and local governments to pool their wisdom to accelerate climate action.”
ENDS