• The goal entails achieving a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2033 compared to 2005 through focused management of buildings and transportation
• The measures for building decarbonization include tightening the criteria for buildings to be certified as zero-energy, applying the greenhouse gas cap for buildings to private buildings, and enhancing the efficiency of aging buildings
• Intensive measures for vehicles will be rolled out, such as transitioning buses, taxis, and delivery motorcycles to eco-friendly vehicles and restricting the operation of old vehicles

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has announced an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Seoul area by 50% compared to 2005 levels by 2033. For buildings that account for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions, the city plans to tighten the criteria for certification and extend the greenhouse gas emission cap for buildings, with tailored management for the status of each building, from new and existing to aged structures. Additionally, public transportation and long-distance commercial vehicles such as delivery motorcycles will be converted to eco-friendly ones. The SMG also aims to utilize various renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydrothermal, and solar energy for heating and cooling to establish urban energy systems.

To achieve the goal of ‘2050 Carbon-Neutral Green Seoul,’ the SMG has unveiled the ‘Basic Plan for Carbon-Neutrality and Green Growth in Seoul,’ which includes measures for managing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and transportation, transitioning to clean energy suitable for urban spaces, and more.

* Greenhouse Gas Emission Target: From 52.34 million tonnes in 2005 to 25.67 million tonnes in 2033 (a 50% reduction compared to 2005)

The key strategies for achieving carbon neutrality in Seoul include:

1) building decarbonization through comprehensive greenhouse gas management.

2) traffic demand management and expansion of eco-friendly vehicles.

3) transition to clean energy, such as geothermal, suitable for urban spaces.

4) citizen-led participation in formulating and implementing carbon neutrality policies.

Furthermore, the SMG plans to enforce carbon-neutral policies by transforming the undersides of overpasses and unused spaces into parks and green areas throughout Seoul. It will also continuously explore and support climate technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovation.