Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon Proposes 'ESG Climate Contribution Certification System' with National Endorsement for Carbon-Neutral Companies

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon proposed that the nation create an 'ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Climate Contribution Certification System' to certify companies implementing carbon neutrality.

On the 16th, Mayor Lee attended a policy meeting of the 'Local Government Council for Climate Crisis Response and Energy Transition Policy Transformation' held at La Casa Hotel in Gwangmyeong, stating, "For carbon reduction to be achieved in a region, companies must participate in carbon neutrality," and added, "If companies work together with local governments to reduce carbon, the nation should provide certification and incentives."

Mayor Lee Jae-joon said, "When companies actively cooperate with local governments and practice ESG management, they can play a significant role in carbon reduction," and expressed expectations that "implementing the climate contribution certification system will draw corporate participation."

The policy meeting was conducted through sharing regional carbon neutrality visions and current issues, and discussing policy cooperation matters.

Mayor Lee introduced Suwon's major carbon neutrality policies including △support projects for home repairs in low-rise residential areas △home carbon monitoring △expansion of eco-friendly vehicle distribution △creating carbon sinks such as palm gardens △leading models for carbon-neutral green cities.

Founded in December 2016, the Local Government Council for Climate Crisis Response and Energy Transition Policy Transformation aims to actively respond to climate crisis through exchange and cooperation among local governments. Energy policy transformation refers to shifting power policy away from existing dependence on coal power generation toward expanding renewable energy generation.

The local government council is undertaking various activities for energy policy transformation, including 'renewable energy production tailored to regional characteristics' and 'development of eco-friendly energy policies.'

As of May, heads of 26 municipal basic units are members and active in the council, with Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon serving as Secretary General. Today's policy meeting was held in Gwangmyeong City, the chairperson city (Mayor Park Seung-won).