Jeonnam, Leading Carbon Neutrality with RE100 Challenges and Ecological Education

Jeonnam local governments are striving for carbon neutrality by competing to attract RE100 industrial complexes and expanding environmental education for future generations.

Hampyeong County, Yeongam County, and Damyang County are responding to the climate crisis by leveraging their respective strengths and opening new possibilities for local-centric energy transition. As the government announced the establishment of RE100 national industrial complexes as a key national policy task by July 2025, the Jeonnam region is emerging as a center for renewable energy.

Hampyeong County has entered the competition to attract RE100 national industrial complexes. RE100 is a global campaign where companies commit to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable energy such as solar and wind. As of August 2025, the Hampyeong County Council has checked the progress, and while the final site has not yet been determined, Hampyeong County is holding public briefings to gather support for the attraction.

Lee Sang-ik, the mayor of Hampyeong County, stated, "As the RE100 national industrial complex project has been announced as the top priority of the new government's national agenda, we will concentrate all administrative capabilities on it."

Yeongam County has intensified its 'Energy Local Green City 100' strategy. In January 2025, it established an energy policy team and launched an RE100 task force in July. Yeongam County plans to create a 2.1GW solar power complex in the Samho and Miam areas, establishing a circular structure where locally produced electricity is consumed by local businesses.

A portion of the power generation profits will be returned to residents as an annual energy basic income of approximately 250,000 won. With the entire Jeonnam region designated as a distributed energy special zone on November 5, 2025, Yeongam County's strategy is gaining further momentum.

Damyang County has focused on practical environmental education for future generations. From August 27 to November 13, 2025, it operated a total of 18 sessions of the 'Visiting Ecological Environmental Classroom' at three middle and high schools and two local children's centers.

The program covered five topics: biodiversity, climate change, resource circulation, carbon-neutral living methods, and zero waste, conducted in a hands-on and experiential manner to help students grow as agents of environmental problem-solving.

These movements in Jeonnam are concrete examples of implementing the national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 at the local level. RE100 industrial complexes enhance the global competitiveness of companies and invigorate the local economy while accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy structure. Ecological education lays the foundation for the next generation to develop the capacity to navigate the climate crisis era.

The energy transition utilizing local renewable energy resources and industrial foundations, along with educational investments for future generations, is a practical pathway to a carbon-neutral society. These efforts in the Jeonnam region will serve as a model for a Korean-style energy transition that progresses slowly but steadily, tailored to local characteristics.