Sejong, December 02 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) reported that the greenhouse gas emissions of 777 institutions subject to the "greenhouse gas target control in the public sector" were recorded at 3.75 million tons of Co2eq in 2021. The amount was 1.64 million tons less than the baseline of GHG emissions, which is 5.39 million tons, and a reduction of 30.4%. This figure shows an additional 0.1% reduction to the previous year's GHG reduction rate of 30.3%.

"Greenhouse Gas Target Control in the Public Sector" has been implemented since 2011 according to Article 26 of the "Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis." The purpose of the system is for the central and local governments and public institutions to play a leading role in achieving the national reduction targets. Four ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, monitor 777 institutions of 7 types, including ministries, local governments, and public institutions, for their annual performance records of the annual reduction target compared to the emission baseline.  

Regarding the GHG reduction rate in 2021 (compared to the emission baseline) by type of institution, public corporations showed the highest reduction rate of 37.1%. The GHG reduction rate of local government is at 35.7%, national universities at 30.5%, public institutions at 29.8%, central administrative agencies at 22.3%, metropolitan and provincial education offices at 21.6%, and national university hospitals at 8.8%. Among institutions emitting more than 10,000 tons per year, Korea National Open University recorded the highest reduction rate at 65.3%, followed by Incheon Metropolitan City (61.4%), Ulsan Metropolitan City (59.5%), Ulsan Infrastructure Corporation (56.6%), and Daegu Metropolitan City (55.5%).

According to a survey for the public sector conducted by Korea Environment Corporation in November 2021, the public sector reduced the GHG emissions of 0.61 million tons of CO2eq by remodeling and improving buildings. Other causes of GHG reduction in the public sector include providing energy-efficient equipment (0.34 million tons of CO2eq), supplying renewable energy (0.28 million tons of CO2eq), and replacing zero-emissions vehicles (0.13 million tons of CO2eq). Moreover, the public sector reduced an additional 0.28 million tons of CO2eq by utilizing the Carbon Point System and external reduction projects.

For those public institutions that did not meet the reduction target, the Ministry of Environment will take additional measures to improve facilities and manage public institutions. The ministry will support the public sector in reducing greenhouse gas voluntarily, such as monitoring greenhouse gas reduction and installing energy-efficient equipment. For those institutions that showed an insufficient reduction, the ministry will improve their facilities' energy efficiency according to the professional diagnosis results. The Ministry of Environment will also hold a briefing session to share progress and best practices. 

An Se-chang, Director-General of the Climate Change and International Cooperation Bureau, said, "Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is difficult, but it is a must for us and future generations. In that context, the public sector will try its best to lead to achieve the goal."

Contact: Kim Yong-chul, Deputy Director

Climate Change Strategy Division / +82-(0)44-201-6650

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr