Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon: "Let's Establish National Certification 'ESG Climate Contribution Certification System' for Companies Practicing Carbon Neutrality"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special Mayor Lee Jae-joon proposed "establishing an 'ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) Climate Contribution Certification System' where the nation certifies companies practicing carbon neutrality."

At a policy briefing held on the 16th at La Casa Hotel in Gwangmyeong for the Local Government Council for Climate Crisis Response and Energy Policy Transition, the mayor said, "Carbon reduction in a region can only be achieved when companies participate in carbon neutrality," and added, "When companies work together with local governments to reduce carbon, the nation should provide certification and offer incentives."

Mayor Lee Jae-joon said, "When companies actively cooperate with local governments and practice ESG management, they can play a major role in carbon reduction," and expected that "if the climate contribution certification system is implemented, it will be able to draw corporate participation."

The policy briefing was conducted with local carbon neutrality vision and current issues sharing, and discussions on policy cooperation matters.

The mayor introduced Suwon City'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 △creation of carbon sinks such as pocket parks △pilot models for carbon-neutral green cities.

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

The local government council is advancing various activities for energy policy transition including 'renewable energy production suited to regional characteristics' and 'discovery of eco-friendly energy policies'.

As of May, 26 city municipal leaders are participating in the council, and Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon serves as secretary general. The policy briefing was held in Gwangmyeong City, the chair city (Mayor Park Seung-won).