Nation should do its part in resolving global crisis
We must do our part to solve the global crisis
Korea has grown into one of the world’s top 10 economies and is occasionally invited to G7 meetings.
Korea has grown to become one of the world’s top 10 economies and is occasionally invited to G7 meetings.
However, the nation seems intent to remain a developing country in some areas of common concern for the international community. Especially so when short-term national interests are concerned.
However, South Korea appears to be planning to remain a developing country in some areas of common interest to the international community. This is especially true when short-term national interests are involved.
A case in point is its foot-dragging in efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
The delay in efforts to respond to the climate crisis is a prime example.
On Tuesday, a blue-ribbon panel announced the government’s basic plan to reduce carbon emissions and seek green growth. To sum up, the plan, the first action program of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, calls for lowering the greenhouse gas reduction target for the industrial sector.
On Tuesday, the top panel presented the government’s master plan for carbon emission reduction and green growth. In summary, this plan, the first action plan of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, urges the reduction of greenhouse gas reduction targets in the industrial sector.
More specifically, it will require the industrial sector to cut its emission by 11.4 percent from the 2018 level by 2030. That is a sharp setback from the previous reduction target of 14.5 percent. To maintain the total emissions goal of 40 percent, it instead seeks to carry out afforestation projects overseas and invest in carbon capture and storage technology.
More specifically, the government plans to require the industrial sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11.4% by 2030 compared to 2018. This is a significant step back from the previous reduction target of 14.5%. Instead, it plans to promote overseas forest planting projects and invest in carbon capture and storage technologies to maintain the total emission target of 40%.
This runs squarely counter to carbon neutrality drives by easing burdens on the industrial sector, the main culprit of the climate crisis. The sector, including steel and petrochemical companies, accounts for 36 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. When electricity use is included, the share rises to 54 percent. Corporate Korea emits more than half of the total greenhouse gases, but its reduction target is slightly more than a quarter.
This goes head-on with the direction of carbon neutrality, relieving the burden on the industry, the main culprit of the climate crisis. Industry, including steel and petrochemical companies, accounts for 36% of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. When electricity use is included, that rate rises to 54%. Industry accounts for more than half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, but their reduction target is just over a quarter.
The presidential commission cited difficulties in raw material supply and technology prospects as a reason for the downward adjustment. In other words, the previously ambitious goal knelt before the high wall of reality — once again. Business lobbies have complained about the “unrealistically high” reduction target and realized their dreams under the most pro-business administration in decades. The government will instead raise nuclear power generation, but it is no more than a stopgap measure.
The 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee (Tannokwi), directly under the President, cited difficulties in supply and demand of raw materials and technological prospects as reasons for this downward adjustment. In other words, the previous ambitious goal was once again frustrated in front of the high wall of reality. Business lobby groups complained about “unrealistically high” reduction targets and realized their dreams under the most pro-business current government in decades. The government will increase nuclear power generation as an alternative, but this is only a temporary measure.
The plan presented a yearly reduction target for the first time. However, it is also problematic, passing most of the burden to the succeeding governments. For instance, it calls for reducing carbon emissions by about 50 million tons in 2023-27, another 50 million tons in 2028-29 and 100 million tons in 2030 alone. That is, the incumbent government will cut emissions by 2 percent on an annual average and drastically reduce it under the next administration. The plan is infeasible and irresponsible, postponing 75 percent of total emission cuts until after its term.
For the first time, the plan presented an annual reduction target. However, there is a problem that most of the burden is passed on to the next government. For example, it calls for a reduction in carbon emissions by around 50 million tonnes in 2023-27, 50 million tonnes in 2028-29, and 100 million tonnes in 2030 alone. In other words, the current government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 2% per year, and then drastically reduce them in the next government. This plan is irresponsible as well as impracticable and delays 75% of the total emissions reduction target beyond the current administration’s tenure.
Conscious of criticism about Korea’s lukewarm shift to renewable energy, the plan reluctantly raised the reduction target in the sector slightly, from 44.4 percent to 45.9 percent. However, it falls far short of expectations. Most industrial countries are now shifting very rapidly to renewables. This is not only because it helps to prevent climatic aggravation but is economically profitable thanks to technological innovation and resulting cost cuts. That means it can be a new growth engine, too. By lagging in this critical shift, Korea will lose “three rabbits” — climate action, economic windfall and energy security.
Aware of criticism that the government’s transition to renewable energy was lukewarm, the plan reluctantly slightly raised the sector’s reduction target from 44.4% to 45.9%. However, this falls far short of expectations. Most industrialized countries are now transitioning very quickly to renewable energy. This transition not only helps prevent climate deterioration, but also provides economic benefits through technological innovation and cost reduction. This means that renewable energy can become a new growth engine. By falling behind in this momentous change, Korea will lose the “three rabbits” of climate action, economic income and energy stabilization.
March 23 (Thursday) The Korea Times editorial
KEY WORDS
■ foot-dragging delay
■ blue-ribbon the best
■ setback hitch
■ squarely precisely
■ stopgap makeshift
■ infeasible
■ worsen aggravation
■ windfall accidental income, unexpected windfall
View original article
