An Accessible City
South Korea is the seventh-largest energy-consuming country in the world as of 2022. To support its high energy consumption, the nation published the Third Energy Master Plan in 2019. This document serves to outline its path away from fossil fuels and towards greener sources in order to reduce energy consumption 14.4% by 2030, 17.2% by 2035, and 18.6% by 2040 below the business-as-usual (BAU) level (see Fig.1).1 Specifically in the transportation sector, fuel efficiency, increasing the use of eco-friendly vehicles, and improving existing traffic systems are all priorities. The distribution of 8.3 million electric vehicles (EVs) and 2.9 million hydrogen vehicles by 2040 (which would be half of registered vehicles in South Korea) and the normalization of hydrogen powered trains and other vessels are projects that are also underway. The plan also includes language for the creation of more specific plans by region in order to best accommodate for and adapt to individual communities’ needs.2
Therefore, Seoul has set its own set of goals. The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) released the Comprehensive Plan for Climate Action in 2022 with an ambitious target for 2050: a cutting of 35 million CO2 emissions, 30% lower than its 2005 levels.3 A significant portion of the plan focused on energy usage, which makes sense for Seoul. Due to the heavily industrial city’s poor air quality, dramatically lowering rates of domestically produced emissions is imperative to improving quality of life for its residents. The SMG is putting its focus on the largest culprits when it comes to emissions – the transportation and building sectors, which contribute 19.2% and 68.7% respectively of Seoul’s annually released (as of 2019) 4.6 millions tons of GHGs, a total of 88%.3
Buildings
Buildings are typically large emitters of GHG in cities. Their density makes their effect more acute in a more concentrated area of land and their typical longevity almost guarantees that they are going to have outdated infrastructure. Therefore, making this equipment energy efficient across the city is of top priority: Seoul will continue to replace old boilers with eco-friendly ones in one million buildings by 2026. Additionally, all new construction projects must be Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB), with participation of new building classifications being phased in every year. For example, starting in 2023, all buildings with floor plans over 100,000m2 were required to be ZEBs, which extends to all public buildings in the beginning of 2024 and 1,000m2 or more in 2025. Of the energy consumed in Seoul (as of 2022) 67% is derived from fossil fuels, so renewable energy sources such as hydrothermal, geothermal, and fuel cells will be encouraged in construction projects. The SMG is also hoping to introduce Ban on Fossil Fuel Energy Use in New Buildings to further increase their use from 4.2% in 2021 to 21% in 2030.3
EVs & Public Transportation
Increasing and improving public transport has long been a goal of Seoul’s. Less cars on the road mean less congestion and more efficiency and accessibility for its residents. This issue was realized when usage of public transportation dropped significantly and private car usage leapt from 1970 to 2000. However, after the introduction of Seoul Smart Mobility Reform in 2003, the SMG saw this trend reverse. Buses were updated to include several new technological features such as the Bus Management System, which allows a central system to record data about passenger needs, and GPS. Network disruptions can be tracked and dealt with and more buses can be added to more crowded routes, making the system highly adaptable and user friendly, as these changes are communicated on service panels at bus stops.4 Public transportation options are outlined in depth on the SMG’s website including how to use each transport type, what apps they recommend you download, and how to read route maps, clearly outlining the process of getting around the city for visitors and newcomers. While the bus system is complicated, the SMG provides all the helpful resources a beginner could ask for. Tips from Seoul’s pink guardian, Haechi (see Fig.2), provide additional clarification. The highly accessible public transportation card allows residents to utilize the subway, buses, bikes, and taxis.5
Conclusion
When it comes to energy and transportation, Seoul has made significant progress. While South Korea’s energy consumption is significant and coal power is projected to still play a role in its energy future, strides are being made to rely primarily on green energy. A reliance on rare materials for EVs poses a potential barrier to South Korea and specifically Seoul’s goals as the ethics of mining operations are brought into increasingly more moral question. Despite the challenges, creating a healthier environment for all citizens is a priority of the SMG as can be seen here and across their sustainability policies. If we look at our definition of sustainability, we can see multiple ways in which it is met by Seoul – the move towards green energy brings more (sustainable) jobs and lowers the city’s effect on global climate change and the adaptable and ever-expanding public transport system allows people from all walks of life a reliable and affordable way to get to work and around the city. The SMG has an ambitious energy agenda – may we see it accomplished.
To see a list of Seoul’s energy and transport assets, you can view the Seoul Asset Map here.
4Kang, M. (2020, January 23). How is Seoul, Korea transforming into a smart city? World Bank Blogs.
5SMG. (n.d.). Public Transportation. Official Website of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.