South Korea unveiled a detailed plan Thursday to reduce methane emissions by deploying new technologies, aligning with a global pact to cut releases of the powerful greenhouse gas by more than 30 percent by 2030.
The country joined the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, which calls for more than a 30 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030 compared with the 2020 level. Methane is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.
According to the road map announced by the presidential committee on carbon neutrality, the government aims to produce 50 tons of "clean methanol" in the country by 2030. While burning methane in natural gas largely contributes to carbon emissions, liquid methanol is considered a cleaner fuel.
To create green methanol, the government plans to secure necessary raw materials, such as hydrogen and carbon sources, and will expand the research and development budget, involving the participation of the private sector.
The committee emphasized collaborative efforts with private companies across various industries, utilizing cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
"Swiftly and innovatively integrating our world-class information and communication technology into carbon reduction will be crucial for securing industrial competitiveness," said Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who co-chairs the carbon neutrality committee.
The plan covers strategies to lower emissions from certain industries, such as farming and livestock, by outlining specific targets.
The government aims to expand the supply of low-emitting methane feeds for animals and increase the ratio of purifying animal waste from the current 13 percent to 25 percent.
South Korea produced 27.4 million tons of methane in 2021, accounting for 4.2 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. While CO2 lingers in the atmosphere for 100-300 years, methane dissipates quickly, with a half-life of approximately a decade, indicating that it is a greenhouse gas that can be reduced with human efforts.