SEOUL According to Yonhap, the Environment Ministry stated that South Korea had emitted 701.3 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2019.
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.
The main reason for the decrease was a reduction of power plant emissions from 268.5 millions tons to 248,7 million tons, and alternative ozone depleting substances (from 8.8 million tons up to 6.3million tons).
However, road transport and non-metal emissions rose by 2.75 million and 1.13 millions tons, respectively.
The energy sector accounted to 87.2 percent or 611.5million tons of total emissions. 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.
7.4%, 3.4% and 2.4% respectively of the total were taken up by industrial plants and the farming and waste industries.
Nearly 380 tonnes of greenhouse gas were released per 1 billion won ($841,000). This is 5.6 percent less than the 401 tons that were recorded in 2018.
The average individual’s gas emissions were 13.6 tons, which was down 3.7% from the 14.1 tons recorded in 2018.
According to the ministry, 2020’s total emissions are expected to be 648.6 millions tons. Yonhap