Carbon neutrality could be defined as a system that has “zero GHG emissions.” The most accurate definition of carbon neutrality is to achieve zero GHG emissions by absorbing or removing GHG emissions from the air. Strictly speaking, it is not “zero emissions,” but we believe that this concept is easier to understand for those without a scientific background compared to the concept of carbon neutrality. Additional efforts will be made so that carbon neutrality can be more easily understood by the general public.
 

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Climate Change Strategy Division

Since the energy density of trees is lower than that of fossil fuels, more trees are required than fossil fuels to create the same amount of energy, which leads to a greater amount of carbon dioxide emissions. However, unlike fossil fuels that increase the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, trees circulate carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide. Trees are thus better at reducing GHG emissions in the long term compared to fossil fuels.
Therefore, when estimating national GHG emissions under the international agreement, trees are not considered to emit carbon when used as an energy source but they are considered to emit carbon when harvested (cut down).

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Eco-Friendly Absorption Team
 

As of September 2021, there were approximately 210,000 electric vehicles as well as 17,000 hydrogen vehicles in South Korea, and 95,000 EV charging stations and 117 hydrogen fuel stations were installed.
Through the Green New Deal, the government announced its plan to distribute 1,330,000 electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles as well as to install 500,000 slow EV charging stations and 450 hydrogen fuel stations by 2025. The government will strengthen its plan once the 2050 Net-Zero Scenario is finally determined.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Green Life Division

The government is establishing countermeasures against a short-term employment shock and mid- and long-term employment crises, as well as measures to manage the labor transition that will inevitably result from carbon neutrality. The government is strengthening emergency support (preemptive job transition, preparation to change jobs, support for reemployment, swift designation of regions in employment/industrial crisis, etc.) for the automobile and coal thermal power generation industries, which are expected to suffer a short-term employment shock. Additionally, the steel, oil refining, cement, petrochemistry, semiconductor, and display industries are all expected to experience mid- to long-term effects in their related job markets. Therefore, the government is strengthening international monitoring and establishing mid- and long-term support plans such as the development of green industries.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Embracing Transition Bureau

Carbon neutrality policies should be implemented in a variety of fields including energy transition, industries, transport, and buildings. All government ministries shall be involved in reinforcing carbon neutrality policies.
To achieve the carbon neutrality targets, we must first find ways to achieve consistency among policies of different sectors and to ensure that these policies are consistently implemented. Such policy adjustment and supervision roles are handled by the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Climate Change Strategy Division

“GHG emission reduction by 40% by 2030” is not an easy goal in terms of reduction speed, considering a late peak of GHG emissions when compared to other major countries and our industrial structure that is highly reliant on manufacturing, among other factors. Compared to other countries, our GHG emission reduction targets from the base year to 2030 are rather challenging, thus demonstrating the government’s strong political will to achieve carbon neutrality.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Climate Change Strategy Division

That draft was deleted because there was significant opposition on maintaining Scenario 1, which contemplated coal thermal power generation, while collecting opinions on the draft Scenario. Since the draft scenarios were released, the international community, National Assembly, civil society, etc. have been continuously voicing their opinions, stating that coal power generation must be stopped. In a questionnaire survey answered by the general population, 79.3% of the respondents approved of “the phase-out of coal-fired power generation by 2050.” The reason for the deletion of Scenario 1, which encompassed coal power generation, demonstrates our widespread concern and willingness to address the climate crisis.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Climate Change Strategy Division

Carbon neutrality Scenarios and NDC enhancement are essential to promote national competitiveness and support a sustainable life for future generations. Therefore, the expansion of renewable energy sources is unavoidable. Developed countries and international organizations that have committed to carbon neutrality are already increasing the percentage of renewable energy in 2050 to 60%–80%. The government is planning to implement renewable energy expansion policies, whose purpose is to identify locations with less impact on land and to consider the environment first. Additionally, the area required for photovoltaic system installation is expected to decrease, having taken the progress of photovoltaic efficiency development into account. We will thus focus on reducing the required land area by accelerating technological innovation, including the enhancement of photovoltaic efficiency.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Energy Innovation Division

We cannot accurately estimate power generation expenses for the coming 30 years, as -the factors that drive the costs associated with achieving carbon neutrality are dynamic and complex. Some factors may increase costs if new decarbonization technologies such as hydrogen and ammonia power generation become widely applied in the process of carbon neutrality. However, there is also a great possibility that relevant costs will decrease with renewable energy technology innovation and economies of scale. We will therefore seek to minimize factors that could lead to increases in energy cost by supporting technological development and promoting competition among major carbon neutrality strategies.

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Energy Innovation Division

Expenses cannot currently be estimated with accuracy because domestic economic, social, and technological conditions are all changing constantly and rapidly. We will clarify annual projects, budgets, etc. during the process of establishing an NDC roadmap. According to the Korea Environment Institute(KEI)’s study, it is expected that GDP will slightly decrease (by 0.07% from the 2030 outlook) and employment rates will slightly increase (by 0%~0.02%) with the enhancement of the 2030 NDC. (Tentative)

⇒ Responsible Department (Answered by): Climate Change Strategy Division