UN chief lauds South Korea's coal phaseout plans

Other countries were urged to follow its example.

The United Nations secretary-general António Gutteres has lauded South Korea for putting in place a policy on stopping and reducing coal-fired power plants whilst addressing the pandemic at the same time, calling on other countries to follow its example.

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The republic presented plans for a Green Deal that would halt further construction of coal-fired power plants and phase out existing one, in an effort to reduce emissions.

At the same time, the country has been praised for its approach in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 30 April, there has not been a new case in South Korea.

“This is an example that should be followed everywhere, a very determined capacity to really eradicate the COVID-19, putting in place the mechanisms that are necessary to do it and, at the same time, prepare a green recovery and a recovery aiming at society that is simultaneously inclusive and sustainable,” Gutteres said.

Further, he called on all governments to make sure that their spending to revitalise economies should accelerate the decarbonisation of their economy, asserting that money from taxpayers should not be used to subsidise fossil fuels or to bail out carbon-intensive industries.

“Now is the time to put a price on carbon and for polluters to pay for their pollution. Public funds should invest in the future, not the past. Financial institutions and investors must take climate risks fully into account,” he added.