▲ Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee Regular Meeting

Chungnam Province, designated as a Carbon Neutral Economy Special Province and ranking number one in South Korea for carbon neutrality, exceeded its annual greenhouse gas reduction target last year by curbing 1.37 million tons of emissions.

On the 18th, the province held the 2025 regular meeting of the 2nd Chungcheongnam-do Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee in the provincial government building's main conference room.

The meeting was attended by over 70 individuals, including Chairperson Governor Kim Tae-heum, civilian co-chairperson Lee Jung-seop (former Vice Minister of Environment), committee members, and relevant provincial officials.

The meeting proceeded with a report on the results of the 2024 progress review of the Chungcheongnam-do 2045 Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Master Plan (Carbon Neutrality Master Plan), a report on the 2024 climate crisis adaptation measures implementation review, deliberation and approval, and reports and consultations on mid-to-long-term administrative plans such as the comprehensive housing plan and groundwater management plan.

According to the report on the Carbon Neutrality Master Plan's progress, presented by the province at the meeting, Chungnam reduced a total of 1,369,900 tons of greenhouse gases last year.

This represents 105.8% of the annual target of 1,294,800 tons.

The breakdown of reductions and achievement rates against targets by sector are: △Buildings: 216,000 tons (118.7%) △Transportation: 33,000 tons (103.1%) △Agriculture & Livestock: 700 tons (118.7%) △Waste: 111,000 tons (168.1%) △Carbon Sinks (New): 51,800 tons (92.4%) △Carbon Sinks (Existing): 962,700 tons.

Consequently, the cumulative reduction since the 2018 base year is 2.145 million tons, achieving a 103.6% accomplishment rate.

The Carbon Neutrality Master Plan established last year targets a 15.7% (2 million tons) reduction this year, 43% (7.6 million tons) by 2030, and 100% (17.8 million tons) by 2045, compared to 2018 emissions (province-managed, non-industrial).

To achieve this, the province is pursuing 114 detailed projects across 8 sectors: buildings, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, waste carbon sinks, implementation infrastructure, energy transition, and industry.

The Carbon Neutrality Master Plan is subject to annual review in accordance with the 'Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Climate Crisis Response,' and this review included implementation evaluation, expert consultations, and Ministry of Environment consulting.

The review of climate crisis adaptation measures showed that all 98 target tasks are in progress.

The target achievement rate is 97.7%, the budget execution rate is 98.0%, and 91 tasks received an 'excellent' rating.

The province plans to strengthen its carbon neutrality implementation by reflecting the resolutions and committee opinions from the meeting, and by preparing concrete action plans.

At the meeting, Governor Kim Tae-heum referenced recent wildfires in the Yeongnam region, stating, "It's said that the largest forest area since the government's establishment has disappeared, and a major cause is reportedly the rising sea temperatures in the East Sea and drier atmospheric conditions. Our country is not safe from the climate crisis. This is no longer a distant future problem; it's a current issue that directly affects us."

Governor Kim then introduced the province's carbon neutrality policies, including: △Transitioning from coal-fired energy △Industrial restructuring △Securing 680 billion won in national funds for alternative energy △Signing RE100 agreements with three power generation companies and four energy companies late last year △Selection of Boryeong and Dangjin among four national carbon-neutral leading cities △Ranking first in local government carbon neutrality best practices. He emphasized, "Chungnam will absolutely achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, 5 years ahead of the national target, within the next 20 years."

Department in Charge: Climate and Environment Policy Division, Carbon Neutrality Policy Team

Phone Number: 041-635-4427