In a public hearing, the government unveiled two proposals for the nationally determined contribution (NDC) by 2035, one of which will be submitted to the United Nations, according to (Yonhap) news agency.
The first option would require the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum 50 percent and a maximum 60 percent, while the second option calls for a slightly more ambitious goal of reducing emissions by a minimum 53 percent and a maximum 60 percent by the target year, according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
In 2018, South Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions reached 742.3 million tons. To decrease emissions by 50 percent from the 2018 level, the country would have to only emit 371.2 million tons in 2035.
Last year, Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 691.6 million tons, far above the minimum target for 2035.
To achieve the 2035 target, the government said it will work to expand the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, while establishing a nationwide next-generation power grid.
The government plans to provide emission reduction incentives to private companies to help them manufacture low-carbon products and install emission reduction facilities.
Seoul submitted its nationally determined contribution (NDC) for 2030 to the UN in 2021, vowing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from the 2018 level.
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