The National Park Service (Director Song Hyung-kun) under the Ministry of Environment  announced that it has obtained an international standard (ISO 14064) certification from the British Standards Institution for the results of its self-survey on greenhouse gas (GHG)　absorption in seven national parks*, including Seoraksan.

* Seoraksan, Odaesan, Taebaeksan, Sobaeksan, Chiaksan, Bukhansan, Taeanhaean

The National Park Service conducted an annual survey and analysis of GHG absorption in the seven national parks over a period of two years (2021, 2023) and commissioned the British Standards Institution for international standard (ISO 14064*) verification in August of this year. 

* Standards for the quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and removals, established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

The British Standards Institution issued the certification for the annual GHG absorption of the seven national parks on September 10, following an on-site audit. 

The verified average annual GHG absorption amount for the seven national parks is 14.33 tons of CO2 per hectare, with Sobaeksan showing the highest at 16.98 tons of CO2. 

The National Park Service research team has reported that forests with high biodiversity have a greater GHG absorption effect and is conducting further research on the differences in absorption amounts based on tree species and age.

The total average annual GHG absorption amount for the seven national parks (based on an area of 134,598.6 hectares) is approximately 1,928,797 tons of CO2. When converted into monetary terms, it is estimated to represent a social cost* reduction effect of about KRW 127.8 billion. 

* Key Issues and Implications Related to the Social Cost of Carbon (Korea Institute of Finance, 2023) * $51 per ton of CO2

Song Hyung-kun, Director of the National Park Service, stated, “Forests with higher biodiversity tend to show greater greenhouse gas absorption, and particularly, Sobaeksan and Seoraksan had absorption amounts higher than the average.” He added, “We will contribute to achieving the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through the restoration and management of natural forests in national parks, considering biodiversity.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com