The world is finally paying attention to climate change. Climate change causes various adverse effects such as sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and damage to ecosystem diversity, all of which threaten human survival. In this situation, many countries are setting a goal of carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality means making the actual amount of carbon dioxide emitted to zero by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing the amount of carbon absorption through forest restoration or other technology. At the general meeting of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) held in Songdo, October 2018, the special report “Global Warming of 1.5°C” stated that we need to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 to prevent a climate crisis. Since then, many countries have set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and announced various plans and policies to do so. In 2020, South Korea also declared its goal for carbon neutrality, and efforts are being made such as enacting the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenario” and the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth in 2021. However, there are voices saying that the government's plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is not effective and that we should prepare for carbon neutrality failure. There is the position saying carbon neutrality should be achieved by 2050 and the position saying we need to give up; Let's learn more about both sides.

A measure to prevent the climate crisis, “carbon neutrality” is drawing attention around the world. In 2020, Korea also declared its goal to reach carbon neutrality. At the time, President Moon Jae-in said, “‘carbon neutrality’ is a difficult task, but it is unavoidable. […] We can all save the earth through small actions in our daily lives and can change the lives of our children.” In fact, according to the special report “Global Warming of 1.5°C”, it was revealed that carbon neutrality must be achieved by 2050 in order to ensure human survival. In addition, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is not only a global trend but also an essential part for Korea to secure competitiveness in the global market. Governments must take a great effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

           First, carbon neutrality must be achieved by 2050 to stop the global temperature rise at an average of 1.5°C, the limit of human survival. At the general meeting of IPCC held in Incheon, October 2018, the special report “Global Warming of 1.5°C” was unanimously adopted. It was stated that net carbon emissions must be reduced to zero by 2050 in order to halt the global temperature rise at an average of 1.5°C. If the earth's temperature rises by more than 2℃, natural disasters that humans cannot deal with such as heat waves and cold waves will occur. However, if the rising temperature is adjusted to 1.5℃, risks to health, living, biodiversity, food security, human security, and economic growth will be significantly reduced. In terms of the frequency of the Arctic’s sea ice complete disappearance, there is a marked difference between an increase of 1.5°C and of 2°C as disappearing once in 100 years and once in 10 years, respectively. According to the special report, for every 1°C increase in global temperature, the production of crops such as corn, rice, and wheat is reduced by 3-7% or more. Particularly, according to the “Climate Change Risk Assessment 2021” by RIIA (Royal Institute of International Affairs), the probability of a 10% or more decline in corn production in the world's four largest corn producers by the 2040s is expected to increase to 40-70%. A decrease in the production of crops leads to disruptions in global supply and an increase in prices. This will create food crises, or even food security wars in severe cases. Global warming is also the cause of the sea-level rise. Tuvalu, which is at an average elevation of only about 2m above sea level, is in danger of disappearing because of sea levels rising an average of 0.5cm every year.

           Second, from an environmental point of view, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is a global trend. In December 2015, the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) COP21 (Conference of Parties) was held in Paris, France. The Paris Climate Change Accord was adopted, and countries collaborated on the goal of keeping the global average temperature rise below 2°C, compared to pre-industrial times. The EU is at the forefront of carbon neutrality and announced the “European Green Deal” in December 2019, presenting the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In fact, the EU has already achieved its target of reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, reducing carbon emissions by 25% in 2019. It is currently working towards a reduction of 55% by 2030. The United States is also actively taking steps to achieve carbon neutrality. In June 2017, former President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. However, after the Biden administration took office in 2020, the United States declared a return to the Paris Agreement. In January 2021, President Biden announced his plan to achieve “net-zero” carbon emissions throughout the economy by 2050. Also, the Japanese government announced the “Long-term Strategy as a Growth Strategy (LEDS) Based on the Paris Agreement” and set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Furthermore, in 2020, prime minister Suga Yoshihide announced the “Green Summit Strategy Accompanying Carbon Neutrality in 2050”, declaring the goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050. As such, carbon neutrality by 2050 is a global trend that many countries are setting as a goal. Korea declared carbon neutrality by 2050 in 2020, and enacted the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth in September 2021. As of now, Korea should also follow the direction that the world needs to go.

           Third, carbon neutrality by 2050 is essential for the Korean economy not to fall behind the global market. More and more companies are participating in the RE100 campaign worldwide. RE100 is a movement to convert 100% of the electricity used by companies into renewable energy. More than 300 global companies, including Apple and Google, are currently participating in the RE100 campaign. Also, global conglomerates such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft are increasingly demanding products made with 100% renewable energy by their suppliers. The EU and the USA are planning to impose a carbon border tax on products made from fossil fuels. Tariffs can be imposed when certain products are produced in other countries that emit more carbon dioxide than their own countries. As a result, companies that cannot produce products using renewable energy can have difficulties in exporting their products. If difficulties occur in exporting, companies will be eliminated from the global market. In this case, the competitiveness of the country can also be reduced. Actually, in June 2021, KAIST College of Business professor Cho Dae-gon said, “There is a growing sense of crisis where companies that do not take the lead in carbon neutrality will inevitably be eliminated due to increasing regulations in countries around the world and avoidance of consumers.” In addition, according to the paper “Job Creation During the Global Energy Transition Towards 100% Renewable Power System by 2050” published in the 2019 international academic journal 『Technological Forecasting and Social Change』, the global electricity sector workforce is projected to increase from 21 million in 2015 to 35 million in 2050. At this time, it is expected that most of the new jobs will come from renewable energy and energy storage. Therefore, the Korean government should further nurture the renewable energy industry and strengthen the price competitiveness of renewable energy.

           Carbon neutrality by 2050 is essential for human survival, and the Korean government must work hard to protect the earth, the home of our lives along with other countries. In particular, as countries around the world are paying attention to carbon neutrality by 2050, Korea should be in line with the global trend by preparing related policies and plans. Letting go of the attempt only because of the prediction that it is difficult to achieve, is the same as letting go of the string of human survival. The Korean government should not postpone the duty that the present generation must fulfill for future generations. Many people liken climate change to a “Boiling Frog.“ It’s said that a frog dropped into boiling water escapes immediately, but if placed in cold water and heated slowly, it will die without even realizing that it is dying in the water. We are in the water as it is heating. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is a necessity, not an option.