Two-day event in Cheonan runs Wednesday through Thursday under the theme of local government action and corporate response to carbon neutrality
South Chungcheong Province is seeking ways to expand international climate cooperation and support businesses in responding to tightening global climate regulations, while advancing carbon neutrality investment and demonstration projects.
The province held the 10th South Chungcheong Carbon Neutrality International Conference on Wednesday at Sono Belle Cheonan, drawing about 500 participants including Provincial Vice Governor Hong Jong-wan, National Climate Crisis Response Committee Chairman Lee Chang-hun and Cheonan Mayor Jang Gi-su, along with domestic and international guests. Co-organized with Cheonan city and the international nonprofit Climate Group, the two-day event runs through Thursday under the theme "Local Government Action and Corporate Proactive Response for Carbon Neutrality."
The opening day featured a morning ceremony and keynote address, followed by three thematic sessions in the afternoon covering international climate cooperation and corporate carbon neutrality strategies, as well as three policy sessions on regional policy issues.
The opening ceremony was attended by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez, British Embassy Deputy Ambassador Gareth Weir, Canadian Embassy Counselor Ashley Mulroney, Qinghai Province Ecological Environment Department Director Hou Fengbo of China, and Krzysztof Jóźwik, rector of Lodz University of Technology in Poland.
In his keynote address, Chairman Lee called for translating carbon neutrality commitments into concrete action through cooperation between the government and businesses.
The thematic sessions addressed greenhouse gas reduction and the promotion of international climate cooperation, global climate regulation trends and corporate preemptive response strategies, and corporate carbon neutrality practices and financing strategies linked to green finance.
The policy sessions covered an eco-friendly refrigerant transition seminar, a South Chungcheong–Asia carbon neutrality innovation initiative seminar, and a forum on introducing a South Chungcheong-style climate insurance scheme. A separate policy session brought together relevant agencies and experts to discuss concrete solutions to pressing issues, including the tightening of international refrigerant regulations and rising damage to residents from climate disasters.
In addition, 20 climate technology companies and institutions showcased a range of technologies and products at promotional booths, including hybrid streetlights powered by renewable energy, sensor-based carbon neutrality facility monitoring and hydrogen produced through water electrolysis.
On the second day, Thursday, participants will take part in a field visit program, touring environmental infrastructure facilities in Cheonan to observe the province's carbon neutrality efforts firsthand.
"Now in its 10th year, the Carbon Neutrality International Conference is a platform for international cooperation that demonstrates how South Chungcheong has led the response to the climate crisis — from coal phase-out to carbon neutrality and industrial restructuring," a provincial official said. "We will drive the energy transition together with the international community, businesses and residents, and deliver tangible results that strengthen the competitiveness of local companies by getting ahead of international climate regulations."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
