Suwon Wins Top Prize at 7th Gyeonggi Province Environmental Awards

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City received the top prize in the institutional organization category at the 7th Gyeonggi Province Environmental Awards ceremony held on June 1st at Gyeonggi Sangsang Campus to mark the 28th Environment Day (June 5th).

The Gyeonggi Province Environmental Awards are presented by Gyeonggi Province to institutions, private entities (individuals and organizations), and civil servants from 31 cities and counties within the province, based on evaluation of seven environmental sectors including environmental education, natural ecology, climate and air quality, environmental safety, environmental industry, resource circulation, and water management.

Suwon City received the highest evaluation in the institutional organization category (1 top prize, 2 excellence awards).

In particular, in the first round of evaluation, which calculates scores across all seven environmental sectors, Suwon received consistently high marks across all areas. Additionally, in the second round of qualitative evaluation targeting nine cities and counties, the city was highly praised for its selection in the Ministry of Environment-led "Carbon Neutral Green City Promotion Project."

Last year, Suwon secured a project budget of 41.6 billion won after Gosaeok-dong and its surrounding areas in Gwonseon-gu were selected as sites for the "Carbon Neutral Green City Project."

The Carbon Neutral Green City Project involves developing the Gosaeok-dong area, which encompasses residential areas, commercial districts, administrative complexes, industrial facilities, and environmental facilities, into a "Carbon Neutral Green City."

The Carbon Neutral Green City is expected to feature △(Energy Transition) improved energy efficiency in public buildings and renewable energy expansion △(Carbon Absorption Expansion) densely distributed carbon sinks △(Resource Circulation Promotion) smart waste collection systems △(Climate Change Adaptation) smart bus stops and other climate adaptation facilities in daily life △Social Transition Programs such as carbon-neutral lifestyle apps.

Additionally, Suwon's △expansion of eco-friendly (electric and hydrogen) vehicle charging stations and expansion of eco-friendly vehicle distribution △building energy efficiency improvement △expansion of renewable energy △operation of education programs and promotion for raising civic awareness on carbon-neutral practices △waste reduction and resource recycling environmental projects received positive evaluations.

A Suwon City official stated, "Suwon's environmental policies for carbon neutrality received positive evaluations, which led to our top prize award," and added, "We will continue to implement diverse environmental policies to realize carbon neutrality."