SEOUL, 31 December (Yonhap), South Korea released a total of 701.3 Million Tons of greenhouse gas in 2019, according to Friday’s environment ministry statement.
According to the ministry, the 2019 figure, which was confirmed by the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center (GGIRC), represents a 3.5 per cent drop in the 2018 total.
This was largely due to a decrease in power plant emissions, which dropped from 268.5 million tonnes to 248.7million tons. Also, alternative ozone layer depleting substances decreased from 8.8 million to 6.3million tons.
Road transportation and nonmetal emissions both increased by 2.75million tons and 1.13million tons, respectively.
87.2 percent of total emissions came from the energy sector, which accounted for 611.5 million tonnes or 611.5 billion tons. The 2018 reduction in emissions by the energy sector was 3.3 percent (21 million tons) compared to 2018. This was due to restrictions on coal-thermal power generation that were imposed to reduce fine dust pollution.
Industrial plants, as well as the farming and waste sectors, accounted for 7.4 percent to 3 percent and 2.4% respectively.
Nearly 380 tons of greenhouse gases were emitted for every 1 billion won (US$841,000), of gross domestic product. This is a decrease of 5.6 percent from the 401 tons recorded in 2018.
The individual gas emission was 13.6 tonnes, which is down 3.7 percent from the 14.1 tons in 2018.
According to the ministry, 2020’s total emissions are expected to be 648.6 millions tons.
