Climate Pledges Missing in South Korean Local Elections Amidst Global Warming Crisis

The world is no longer receiving warnings about climate change; it is being notified. The World Meteorological Organization predicts a 75% chance that global average temperatures will exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius mark within the next five years, a critical threshold set by the Paris Agreement. This year, 2024, is already on track to be the hottest on record, with a 91% probability of surpassing previous records. Europe is already grappling with unprecedented heatwaves, with London and Portugal experiencing record-breaking temperatures, and Spain reporting at least 14 heat-related deaths.

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The 1.5-degree threshold is the red line for climate crisis response that the international community agreed upon in the Paris Agreement.

South Korea is also feeling the heat, with the earliest recorded heatstroke death occurring in May, significantly earlier than in previous years. Yet, the upcoming June 3rd local elections appear to be taking place in a pre-climate crisis era. A survey of 624 candidates for metropolitan and basic local government heads revealed that while 509 made climate pledges, the substance of these promises often fell short.

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The candidates' pledges were largely related to transportation welfare, such as free transportation.

Many candidates focused on transportation, with 379 pledging action, but only 13 specified measures like expanding electric buses or creating car-free zones. Instead, terms like 'redevelopment,' 'airports,' and 'roads', all associated with greenhouse gas emissions, frequently appeared in campaign materials. Promises for new airports, expanded parking lots, and even park golf course construction were common across party lines. Similarly, 52 candidates pledged to attract data centers, but only four linked these to renewable or geothermal energy solutions. Alarmingly, only 3.4% of candidates presented concrete carbon neutrality roadmaps or specific reduction targets.

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The term 'redevelopment,' 'airport,' and 'road,' which emit greenhouse gases, appeared frequently.

The energy transition plans of many local governments also appear weak, particularly in cities with high energy consumption and low self-sufficiency. While the national goal is to deploy 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, only one candidate in Gyeonggi Province explicitly supported expanding residential solar power. The article emphasizes that climate change is not just an environmental issue but is intrinsically linked to urban operations, including industry, welfare, transportation, and disaster management. Local governments hold significant power in shaping these areas, from bus routes to building policies and energy structures. With the current term extending to 2030, the year South Korea aims to reduce emissions by 40% from 2018 levels, the focus on 'how much more to develop' rather than 'how to emit less' is deeply concerning. Even the National Assembly's special committee on climate change failed to revise the Carbon Neutrality Act before the constitutional court's deadline, citing the local elections as a reason for inaction.

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The climate crisis is no longer just an environmental issue. It is connected to the overall operation of cities, including industry, welfare, transportation, and disaster.