Korea‘s greenhouse gas emissions down for 2nd year in 2023: Estimates

2024. 4. 8. 08:42
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[Photo by MK DB]
South Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions are likely to have decreased for two years in a row in 2023 amid the resumption of nuclear power generation and adjustments in renewable energy generation under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

According to the Presidential Committee on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth (CNCG) and the Ministry of Environment on Sunday, the country’s greenhouse gas emissions in four major sectors, including energy transition, industry, buildings, and transportation, were estimated to have decreased by about 17.27 million tons compared to the previous year.

Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions stood at 654 million tons in 2022, the lowest figure since 655.1 million tons in 2010.

In the energy transition sector, greenhouse gas emission estimates stood at 203.7 million tons in 2023, down by about 10.2 million tons, or 4.8 percent, compared to the previous year.

This represents a reduction of about 24.1 percent compared to 2018, the reference year for the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2030.

The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the energy transition sector was largely attributed to nuclear power generation.

The renewable energy in the total domestic power generation increased only slightly, with 56.7 terawatt hours (9.6 percent) last year from 35.6TWh (6.2 percent) in 2018.

During the same period, nuclear power generation increased by more than 35 percent to 180.5TWh (30.7 percent) from 133.5TWh (23.4 percent), reducing the use of fossil fuel-based power generation.

[Graphics by Song Ji-yoon and Chang Iou-chung]
Industrial sector emissions were estimated to be 244.7 million tons, down by about 6.2 percent compared to 260.8 million tons in 2018.

The decline is believed to be as a result of efforts such as the closure of aging blast furnaces in the steel sector, fuel switching in the refining sector, and increased fluorine treatment in the semiconductor sector.

The Korean government aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 from the 2018 level.

In 2023, the government adjusted sectoral reduction targets, particularly strengthening the goal for the power generation industry, enhancing the feasibility of meeting these targets.

The strategy involves reducing coal-fired power generation while expanding nuclear and renewable energy.

Under the 10th national electricity plan formulated last year, the government envisions nuclear power accounting for 32.4 percent and renewable energy for 21.6 percent of power generation by 2030, marking an increase in nuclear power and a decrease in renewable energy compared to previous targets.

“The reduction in greenhouse gases is happening through a carbon-neutral energy transition, with a focus on restoring nuclear power,” said CNCG Chairman Kim Sang-hyup. “The government plans to advocate for the international adoption of the carbon-free energy (CFE) initiative.”

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