President Lee Jae-myung directed his aides on the 14th to devise measures to significantly increase the production of renewable energy to achieve the national greenhouse gas reduction target for carbon neutrality by 2050. He also mentioned the possibility of raising electricity rates, which has been sensitive for past administrations, emphasizing the need to seek public understanding and approval.
President Lee noted during a meeting of senior aides held at the Presidential Office that the government reviewed the preparation status and main contents of the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) for 2035, and made this statement according to Lee Gyu-yeon, senior secretary for public communication at the Presidential Office. The government plans to finalize the 2035 NDC and submit it to the United Nations (UN) in September.
President Lee emphasized, "Our country has declared and is legislating carbon neutrality by 2050, so we need to set the 2035 target in a direction to achieve this." He further stated, "Environmental issues and economic issues cannot be separated," urging that "we should turn the climate crisis into an opportunity for growth."
In particular, he said, "If this is a path we must take, we must actively respond to the climate crisis," and ordered relevant departments to come up with measures to achieve national reduction targets by significantly increasing the production of renewable energy.
The president also remarked, "If we are to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction targets, electricity rates will inevitably rise," adding that "we need to actively inform the public and seek their understanding and consent."
During a related briefing, the senior secretary explained the president's remarks, stating, "Given the direction that global advanced countries are heading, we cannot avoid reducing greenhouse gases," and noted, "If we proceed with the current reduction targets, it is inevitable that electricity rates will increase somewhat, so we need to raise renewable energy to minimize that (rate increase) pressure."
He also added regarding the potential for future electricity rate increases, "It seems premature to say that we will raise electricity rates immediately or when."
In discussing greenhouse gas reduction measures, the president emphasized that "we need to consider the specific characteristics of certain sectors such as steel, refining, and chemicals when implementing policies."
In response, the senior secretary explained, "These sectors bear a significant carbon cost burden, so applying uniform standards could impact the industry; therefore, we need to examine this closely."