Sejong, July 4 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that it will officially commence the "Development of Technology to Advance Evaluation of Carbon Absorption by Ecosystem Type (2023-2027)." The plan is to measure and manage carbon absorption more accurately for five years starting from this year.

After undergoing a screening process, Seoul National University and Korea University's Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundations were selected as the major research institutions. The Ministry of Environment and the research institutions will have a kick-off meeting in a conference room near Seoul Station on June 29. At the meeting, the two groups will discuss ways to advance measurement and evaluation methods for carbon absorption for each type of ecosystem (forest, agricultural lands, grasslands, residential lands, etc.). These will be in alignment with the recommendations outlined in the IPCC guidelines.

Based on this research, the Ministry of Environment will advance calculation methods for carbon absorption. In the past, the Korean government used the calculation methods from the IPCC. However, the government will now develop a unique calculation method for Korea.

Also, to secure data needed for the research, the government will develop technology to measure, assess, and evaluate carbon absorption amounts by ecosystem types. Furthermore, a new system will be implemented to comprehensively manage the carbon absorption amount overseen by each agency.

Starting from 2024, the government will apply nature-based solutions to maintain and increase biodiversity. At the same time, it will work on the "Development of Technology to Advance Evaluation of Carbon Absorption by Ecosystem Type (2023-2027)" to improve carbon absorption capabilities.

The Ministry of Environment has been conducting the "Wetland Ecosystem Value Assessment and Enhancement Technology Development Project (2022-2026)" since 2022. This project aims to quantitatively evaluate the carbon absorption and emissions capacity of wetlands and enhance their value through restoration efforts.

Park So-young, Director of the Nature and Ecology Policy Division of the Ministry of Environment, stated, "Upgrading carbon absorption capability assessment skills is required from the international community, as suggested by IPCC." She added, "We will promptly develop technology to ensure that our carbon absorption measurements gain trust from the international community. Furthermore, we will strive to develop scientific evidence to create an ecosystem that considers both biodiversity and carbon absorption capabilities."

Contact: Lee Sang-soo, Deputy Director

Nature and Ecology Policy Division / +82-(0)44-201-7231