Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon Receives '2019 Environmental Person of the Year' Award

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Mayor Yeom Tae-young of Suwon received the '2019 Environmental Person of the Year' award hosted by the Korea Environmental Journalists Association.

Mayor Yeom received a plaque from Kim Byung-oh, chairman of the Korea Environmental Journalists Association, at City Hall on the 21st.

The Environmental Journalists Association has selected 'Environmental Person of the Year' award recipients through member journalist voting since 1996, recognizing individuals who have achieved outstanding results in environmental protection activities. In 2017, Kang Byung-won, chairman of the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Environment, and in 2018, Song Ok-joo, chairwoman of the Democratic Party's Special Committee on Fine Dust Countermeasures, received the award.

Mayor Yeom was highly evaluated for his continuous efforts to create 'Environmental Capital Suwon,' and for leading the expansion of 'eco-friendly electric buses.'

Since declaring 'Environmental Capital' in 2011, the city has been developing a sustainable environmental city through projects including 'water circulation city,' greenhouse gas reduction, fine dust mitigation, and eco-friendly electric bus introduction projects.

Rainwater recycling system construction is a representative 'water circulation city' project. For the sixth mayoral term's citizen promise projects, 'Rain City Suwon Season 2 project' was selected. In 2014, the city conducted a pilot project for 'green rainwater infrastructure development' in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, establishing 'green rainwater infrastructure' at Jangan-gu Office.

Automated road spraying systems were installed at three locations including the road in front of Suwon World Cup Stadium. When fine dust or heat wave alerts are issued, stored rainwater is sprayed on roads to reduce dust and cool the heat. Rainwater stored in reservoirs (retention tanks) is also used when operating road spraying vehicles.

Greenhouse gas reduction is also showing results. During the 'first planning period of the greenhouse gas emissions trading system' (2015-2017), greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 33,988 tons (6.9%) compared to the 'baseline emission level.'

Additionally, the city has set an 'ultrafine dust improvement target' of reducing average annual ultrafine dust concentration to 18㎍/㎥ or less, matching the national goal by 2022, and is implementing a 'comprehensive fine dust management plan.' The city plans to expand urban forests, which are effective in reducing fine dust, by approximately 30% by 2022 (compared to 2019).

To reduce air pollutants, the city is actively introducing electric buses, setting a goal of 'introducing 1,000 electric buses by 2022.'

The city signed a 'business agreement for promoting the supply of eco-friendly electric buses' with Suwon Passenger in January last year, supporting the purchase of 94 electric buses. It provided the Northern Public Parking Facility as a site for electric bus charging infrastructure. In December last year, a completion ceremony was held for charging infrastructure equipped with 96 chargers.

Last year, the city participated in the bidding for hosting the 'Fourth Asia-Pacific Ministerial Forum on the Environment,' winning over Busan and Incheon to secure the Fourth Asia-Pacific Environmental Ministers Forum. The hosting of the Asia-Pacific Environmental Ministers Forum is expected to further elevate the status of 'Environmental Capital Suwon' in the international community.

The Fourth Asia-Pacific Ministerial Forum on the Environment, scheduled for September 8-11 this year at the Suwon Convention Center, is a regional preparatory meeting for the United Nations Environment Assembly. Approximately 700 participants, including government officials (environmental ministers) from 41 countries, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, will discuss environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity.