Seoul, Korea – South Korea became the first country in East Asia whose ruling political party publicly announced a climate manifesto and embraced the idea of a comprehensive Green New Deal in response to the ongoing global climate crisis. Today, the Liberal Party – South Korea’s current ruling political party – announced its climate political manifesto for the upcoming general election and its strong will to achieve a carbon zero society by 2050.
“Today’s announcement is essential to tackle the most urgent environmental disaster humanity faces – the climate crisis. South Korea is one of the top seven CO2 emitting countries in the world. The ruling party finally recognises its responsibility to not only tackle the climate urgency but also boost the domestic economy while battling this crisis,” said Jinsun Lee, campaigner at Greenpeace Seoul.
The manifesto includes a series of policies, including but not limited to: legislation of the Green New Deal Act, discontinuation of coal project financing, and introduction of a carbon tax. These policies are crucial measures to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, which is in line with recommendations made by the scientific community to reduce the risk of climate crisis.
Due to decades of inaction on climate change, a comprehensive green new deal which includes large scale investment in green energy infrastructure and the complete phase out of coal power generation has become a necessity. A revenue-neutral carbon tax – which does not increase the public’s overall tax burden – is also an essential part of the solution. One policy that is not mentioned in the current manifesto, yet important in creating a zero carbon society, is the complete phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles.
Since delivering the Climate Emergency Policy Proposal to the three largest political parties in South Korea between December 2019 and January 2020, Greenpeace Seoul has been campaigning for the adoption of five key climate policies so major parties may create a realistic plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Greenpeace Seoul welcomes the Liberal Party’s announcement but strongly recommends the development of a concrete and feasible plan – including a clear roadmap, timeline, and policies – to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Greenpeace Seoul will continue to campaign to ensure successful implementation of the announcement made today and also strongly urges the United Future Party, the second largest political party in South Korea, to announce its own policy manifesto to tackle the climate crisis.
The climate crisis is the largest challenge humanity faces in the 21st century and requires strong, active leadership across all political spectrum around the globe.
ENDS
Notes:
On 15 March, Greenpeace’s climate suffrage campaign team in Korea conducted an action, beaming a projection at the ruling party’s potential presidential candidate’s office building. The action called for the ruling party to take drastic measures against the climate crisis.
Contacts:
Jinsun Lee, Campaigner, Greenpeace Seoul: +82-10-9117-3437, [email protected]
Sean Lee, Communication Lead, Greenpeace Seoul: +82-10-9998-2414, [email protected]
Discussion
One thing we are all learning from the Pandemic is that Nature has its rules and boundaries, when crossed, prices have to be paid. While getting sick and losing lives are a tragedy, we know for sure now that viruses and infectious diseases will be part of the New Normal in the post-pandemic era. Climate change is well recognized as a health challenge. Like another train running at us, climate change is an existential challenge and demands much accelerated scaling of solutions to address humanity's resilience problem. COVID-19 pandemic stimuluses offer such an opportunity to reset our development pathway towards a net zero carbon emission future.
I am delighted to see South Korea is championing the first Green New Deal in Asia. The COVIC-19 pandemic, like a wake-up call to humanity, calls governments for an immediate and accelerated scaling of actions to drive the shift away from a fossil-fuel-based civilization towards an ecological civilization that is built upon modern telecommunication technology, renewable energy, and clean transportation and logistics technology. The pandemic also offers an unprecedented opportunity to reset the pathway of a country's development, in particular by using the pandemic relief and stimulus packages to drive the shift at a pace and scale aligned with the goals and targets of the Green New Deal. In order to do so, a clear vision and pathway shall be put in place; policy incentives and disincentives shall be deployed to ensure that the much enhanced financial liquid does not go to fossil-fuel projects, but rather, can be used to support fossil-fuel industries to transition and join the revolution towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050, which is already a globally shared vision and plan under the Paris Agreement. Smart and clean technologies already exist so I am not talking about tomorrow's technologies though R&D investment shall continue to be strengthened no matter what. European Green Deal is so far the best role model to look into. Though announced last December before the hit of the Pandemic, the Green Deal is not just a narrative on paper, but supported by detailed action plan and a budget. European stimulus becomes a natural linkage to accelerate the Green Deal in the post-Pandemic era. US's picture remains blurry. Even though the Green New Deal has been around at Congress, the champions of the Deal, both at Capitol Hill and outside, have not edged far enough to seal a deal in the US stimulus package. Many people remain hopeful somewhat for the fifth Round of the CARES, very possibly a compromised one. Fingers crossed. China has started to take steps, though not naming it Green New Deal, by focusing on something called New Infrastructure - mostly digitalization technology and industry, but with clearly defined elements like EV charging stations, high-speed rail and city-to-city light rail, smart grid (super high-pressure and voltage). A financial package of about UD 500 billion is now designated for this. For South Korea, the post-pandemic stimulus provides a tremendous opportunity to steer the transition of its industries in the fossil-fuel sector. Clear rule and incentives shall be worked out, guided by a clear pathway and roadmap of a Green New Deal. Look forward to continued leadership from South Korea.
Wow, that's so good, the best news I've heard in a while.. Good on ya Greenpeace. And cheers to this government. 😎
Love the emissions reductions targets and infrastructure investments. I'm not seeing any mentions of "justice" or "just transition", though, which are fundamental to a Green New Deal. Also would love to see some ambitious 2030 targets.