Govt. greenhouse gas reduction policies in transport sector earn failing grades

South Korea's transportation sector is falling short on its greenhouse gas reduction targets, with a recent assessment by four civic groups revealing significant shortcomings in the current government's policies. The report, released on May 4th, evaluated seven key policies aimed at curbing emissions, assigning failing grades to three crucial areas: the roadmap for phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, the abolition of fuel tax cuts, and the expansion of vehicle operation restrictions.

The assessment, conducted by Greenpeace, Green Transport Movement, Green Energy Strategy Institute, and Plan 1.5, assigned scores from 0 to 4 based on the degree of implementation. The overall average score for the seven policies was a mere 1.9 out of 4. While policies like establishing subsidies for transitioning away from internal combustion engine vehicles, strengthening electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and improving public transport fare discounts received high marks (4 out of 4), the failing policies garnered zero points.

Civic groups highlighted the critical issue that the underperforming policies represent the largest portion of the sector's potential for emissions reduction. The three policies that received zero points collectively account for an estimated 4.4 million tons in annual reduction potential, which is 87% of the total reduction potential across all seven policies. Specifically, abolishing fuel tax cuts has a potential reduction of 2.27 million tons, expanding vehicle operation restrictions could save 1.11 million tons, and establishing a phase-out roadmap for internal combustion engines offers a potential reduction of 1.02 million tons.

Currently, the transportation sector's greenhouse gas reduction rate stands at a mere 1.3% compared to 2018 levels, significantly lagging behind the 2030 national target of a 37.8% reduction. The civic groups are urging the government to accelerate and actively implement the high-potential policies. Their recommendations include strengthening vehicle emission standards by the first half of 2026, codifying the 2035 internal combustion engine phase-out roadmap into law, gradually phasing out fuel tax reductions while providing direct support to vulnerable groups and small transport businesses, and progressively expanding vehicle operation restrictions like odd-even driving days and congestion charges.

Moon Hyo-dong, a researcher at the Green Energy Strategy Institute, emphasized the need for structural change. "Reducing greenhouse gases in the transportation sector requires a drastic reduction in the use of internal combustion engine vehicles," he stated. "First, we must limit vehicle operation through measures like normalizing fuel taxes and implementing driving restrictions, and then establish and execute a plan to phase out internal combustion engines."

“

Reducing greenhouse gases in the transportation sector requires a drastic reduction in the use of internal combustion engine vehicles. First, we must limit vehicle operation through measures like normalizing fuel taxes and implementing driving restrictions, and then establish and execute a plan to phase out internal combustion engines.