Carbon Neutrality Practice Education

The Campus Planning Division of Incheon National University led by President Lee In je and the Incheon Green Environment Support Center held the Carbon Neutrality Practice Capacity Building Education on July 1 at the Faculty Club with a large number of university members including faculty staff teaching assistants and students in attendance. This education was organized to jointly explore the survival strategy of the university amidst the great transition period of the climate crisis and the increasing burden of university operating costs due to rising international energy prices.

In his opening remarks Lee Jun han Executive Vice President for Planning diagnosed that the recent surge in public utility rates is a real management risk threatening the securing of the university education research and welfare budgets. He emphasized that carbon neutrality is not a slogan for the distant future but an immediate task directly related to the university livelihood and a social responsibility to drive change in the local community as a national university.

The education proceeded with in depth presentations by domestic experts. Professor Emeritus Kim Jung in of Chung Ang University who came forward as the first speaker introduced the flow of global carbon neutrality policies and practice cases of leading universities at home and abroad step by step and suggested that universities should become outposts of carbon neutrality beyond simple educational institutions.

Following this Kang Hee chan Dean of Academic Affairs gave the second presentation under the theme of the Incheon National University Carbon Neutrality Execution Roadmap. Dean Kang analyzed cases of building carbon neutral campuses at world leading universities such as MIT and Oxford as well as international certification systems while presenting specific execution models that Incheon National University can actually introduce such as issuing Green Bonds and ESG linked financing plans drawing great interest from the attendees.

Starting with this education Incheon National University plans to further specify the carbon neutrality execution roadmap in which all members participate and establish a systematic mid to long term plan including expanding renewable energy infrastructure on campus.

An official from Incheon National University stated that it served as an opportunity for university members to realize the necessity of carbon neutrality and develop practical execution capabilities. The official added that they will spare no administrative and financial support to create a sustainable green campus in the future.