Mayor Yeom Tae-young: "All Local Governments and Global Networks Worldwide Must Actively Participate in Climate Action"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] "All nations and local governments around the globe, as well as global networks including the United Nations, must actively participate in 'climate action.'"

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young plans to deliver a keynote presentation with this message and introduce Suwon's 'climate action' to the world at the '2021-22 International Mayors Forum' hosted by the UN Sustainable Development Center (UNOSD), which will be held in a non-face-to-face format from the 24th to 27th. 'Climate action' refers to national and international policies and practical efforts to respond to climate change.

At the 2021-22 International Mayors Forum, which has set agendas including 'Implementation of major international agreements such as SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and recovery from COVID-19,' mayors and climate experts from cities around the world will give presentations by topic. Mayor Yeom will take the stage as a presenter in the 'National Urban Experience' category at 8:45 p.m. on the 25th.

Accordingly, Mayor Yeom filmed a keynote video in his office on the 17th to be presented at the International Mayors Forum.

In the video, Mayor Yeom stated, "Suwon declared itself the 'Environmental Capital of Korea' in 2011 and set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels," adding, "In 2013, Suwon was the first local government in Korea to independently establish a 'Greenhouse Gas Inventory' to quantitatively analyze greenhouse gas reduction amounts, and every year it calculates greenhouse gas emissions, evaluates implementation status, and submits a 'Climate Action Report' to the international community."

He continued, "In April 2021, we established the 'Suwon Carbon Neutrality Master Plan,'" and stated, "Through active energy transition and conservation, we reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, and we concretized a 'carbon neutrality scenario' where the remaining 20% is offset through carbon sinks such as urban forests."

As policies for carbon neutrality, Mayor Yeom presented ▲mandatory 'energy-zero construction' for new public buildings and plans to convert all buildings in Suwon into 'green buildings' ▲promotion of eco-friendly vehicles and construction of electric vehicle and hydrogen vehicle charging infrastructure ▲acceleration of transition to renewable energy.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young stated, "Suwon City has responded to the climate crisis through innovative policies," and introduced 'the 2013 Eco-Mobility Suwon event,' 'green curtain expansion,' and 'Raincity Suwon project.'

He added, "Suwon City recognizes that the role of local governments is essential in responding to the climate crisis and has led climate action at the local government level as the center of Korea's 226 basic local governments," stating, "We led the 'Climate Crisis Emergency Declaration' with the participation of all basic local governments in June 2020 and launched the 'Carbon Neutrality Local Governments Action Alliance.'" Mayor Yeom Tae-young serves as permanent co-chair of the Carbon Neutrality Local Governments Action Alliance.

Mayor Yeom stated, "The climate crisis is not something in the distant future but a reality at our doorstep right now," and appealed, "All nations and local governments around the world, as well as global networks including the United Nations, must actively participate in 'climate action.'"

He further promised, "While continuing the path we have followed thus far, Suwon City will lead global change and practice to build a 'green future' for all humanity."

Meanwhile, Mayor Yeom Tae-young also participated in international environmental conferences last year, including the 'Singapore World Cities Summit 2021' and 'OECD Champions Mayors Alliance for Inclusive Growth,' introducing Suwon's environmental policies to countries around the world.