GOVT'S PLAN TO GO CARBON NEUTRAL

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The South Korean government is set to go carbon neutral by the year 2050. To achieve this goal, sales of only eco-friendly vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars must be allowed from 2040 at the latest, while coal development should also come to a complete end by that same year. But mixed reactions are coming from the industry and environmental groups. Here's more

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The National Council on Climate and Air Quality has laid out policy proposals to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. This state-run organization under the presidential office was launched last year to tackle the issue of fine dust air pollution. The council has proposed suspending coal powered plants by 2040. Coal is a key producer of fine dust.

[Soundbite] KIM SUK(STRATEGIC PLANNING DIRECTOR, NCCA) : "Coal power plants account for 9.2% of fine dust and 27.9% of greenhouse gas emissions in Korea. Coal power must inevitably be suspended before 2040 in order to further reduce greenhouse gases."

The council also said changes are inevitable to the supply of internal combustion locomotives which use diesel or gasoline as fuel. The existing goal is to expand hydrogen fueled vehicles to 2.9 million units and electric cars to 8.3 million by the year 2040. But the council went a step further and called for allowing the sales of only zero emission and plug-in hybrid cars from 2040 when it comes down to new car purchases. Plug-in hybrids are the bridge between gas-only hot rods and fully electric vehicles. But reactions to these policy suggestions are mixed. An official of a domestic carmaker said the company was increasing the production of certain models in line with industry moves to shift to eco-friendly automobiles. But he said the company has no plans at the moment to completely halt production and sales of internal combustion vehicles. Environmental groups have welcomed the council's advisories as having moved a step forward in the right direction from current standing government policies. But they said even bolder measures are necessary to prevent a climate catastrophe.

[Soundbite] JEONG SANG-HUN(CLIMATE SUFFRAGE CAMPAIGN CHIEF, GREENPEACE) : "In case of Korea, it's said that coal plants should be shut down by 2029 to prevent an extreme situation in the climate crisis. So, measures should aim for year 2030 (even sooner than the proposed 2040.)"

The latest proposals were crafted following forums and debates involving some 500 citizens. Related ministries will begin consultations on the proposed measures from this week to reflect them in actual policy making.