The national greenhouse gas emissions for 2023 were provisionally estimated at 624.2 million tons in CO2 equivalent, a 4.4 percent decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory & Research Center of Korea under the Environment Ministry.
The emissions were below the annual target set in the national carbon neutrality and green growth basic plan, which was 633.9 million tons.
On a per capita basis, about 12 tons of greenhouse gases were emitted per person in 2023.
The energy sector, which accounts for 30 percent of total emissions, saw a significant reduction, falling 7.6 percent to 200.4 million tons last year.
The state-run institute analyzed that the reduction in power demand in the steel, electronics, and communications sectors contributed to the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year's total power generation was 587 terawatt-hours (TWh), a decrease of about 1.2 percent from 2022. Power generation had also decreased for two consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 but increased in 2021 and 2022 before falling again in 2023.
The research center noted that the increase in renewable energy and nuclear power generation by 6.6 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, and the reduction in power generation from fossil fuels such as coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) contributed to the decrease in emissions from the energy sector.
The building sector experienced the second-largest reduction in emissions, with a 7 percent decrease to 44.2 million tons last year.
The industrial sector, which accounted for 38 percent of total emissions last year, saw a 3 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
The average operating rate of the manufacturing industry was 71.9 percent, the lowest since 1998, when it was 67.6 percent.
Among industries with high greenhouse gas emissions, the petrochemical industry saw a 6.8 percent reduction in emissions compared to the previous year.
Emissions from the cement manufacturing industry decreased by 2.3 percent amid the sluggish construction industry.
The semiconductor and display manufacturing sector experienced a 53.1 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous year.
In contrast, the steel industry, which has some of the highest emissions, saw a 2.4 percent increase in emissions last year.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector amounted to 94.9 million tons last year, a 1 percent decrease.
Emissions from the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, and waste management amounted to 25 million tons and 15.6 million tons, respectively, showing reductions of 0.1 percent and 1.3 percent.
While the economic downturn is cited as the main reason for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions last year, mitigation efforts have also contributed to the decrease.
The research center highlighted that while GDP grew by 1.4 percent in 2023, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4.4 percent.
Emissions per 10 billion won ($743,881) of GDP were 312.8 tons, the lowest since 1990, indicating efforts to reduce emissions have been effective despite economic growth.
Sung Tae-yoon, presidential policy chief, said the two-year consecutive decrease in greenhouse gas emissions was a result of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's focus on promoting nuclear power and restoring the nuclear power ecosystem.
"Factors contributing to the reduction in emissions include the adoption of low-carbon processes in the industrial sector, improvements in energy efficiency across all sectors, and the continuous expansion of renewable energy," Sung said during a press briefing at the Presidential Office.
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