🌾 Cultivating Change: How Agriculture Can Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The fight against climate change is a global imperative, and every sector has a role to play. 

While often overlooked, agriculture stands as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

In 2022, South Korea's national GHG emissions saw a 2.3% reduction from the previous year, totaling 724.29 million tons. The agricultural sector accounted for about 5% of this total.

But here's the good news: the farming industry, including livestock, holds immense potential for GHG reduction. 

While some initial investments might be required, embracing greener practices in agriculture isn't just about curbing emissions; it's about fostering long-term environmental health and achieving truly sustainable food systems. 

Let's explore the innovative ways farmers are stepping up to this global challenge.

1. Smart Nutrient Management: Fertilizing for a Greener Future

One of agriculture's primary sources of GHGs is nitrous oxide (N₂O), largely from synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. But there's a smarter way.

Precision Fertilization: Instead of blanket application, using precision agriculture techniques allows farmers to apply fertilizers exactly where and when they're needed. 

This minimizes waste and significantly reduces N₂O emissions.

Organic Alternatives: Shifting towards organic fertilizers or integrating more compost can enhance soil health naturally, reducing the reliance on synthetic inputs that contribute to GHG output.

2. Soil Power: Locking Away Carbon Below Ground

Healthy soil isn't just good for crops; it's a powerful carbon sink. Farmers can boost this natural ability.

Minimum Tillage (No-Till Farming): By disturbing the soil as little as possible, farmers can keep organic matter intact, preventing stored carbon from being released into the atmosphere. This also preserves soil structure and biodiversity.

Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops (like clover or rye) during off-seasons helps protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and, crucially, capture atmospheric carbon, enriching the soil with organic matter.

3. Water Wisely: Irrigating with Climate in Mind

Water management in agriculture directly impacts methane (CH₄) emissions, especially in rice cultivation.

Efficient Irrigation Systems: Moving away from traditional flood irrigation to more efficient methods like drip irrigation or alternate wetting and drying (AWD) in rice paddies can drastically reduce CH₄ emissions while conserving precious water resources. 

AWD involves intermittently drying the soil, which limits methane production.

4. Harnessing Nature's Energy: Powering Farms with Renewables

Just like homes and factories, farms can switch to clean energy sources.

Solar and Wind Power: Investing in solar panels or small wind turbines can power farm machinery, irrigation systems, and facility operations, significantly cutting down on fossil fuel consumption and their associated emissions. This transition not only lowers carbon footprints but can also reduce operational costs in the long run.

5. Waste to Wealth: Transforming Agricultural Residues

Agricultural waste, if not properly managed, can decompose anaerobically and release large amounts of methane.

Biogas Production: A fantastic solution is converting farm waste (manure, crop residues) into biogas through anaerobic digestion. This process captures methane, preventing its release into the atmosphere, and produces clean energy that can be used on the farm or sold. It's a win-win for waste management and renewable energy generation!

6. Sustainable Land Use: More Than Just Farming

The way land is used in agriculture can also be optimized for carbon sequestration.

Agroforestry: Integrating trees into farming landscapes (agroforestry) can boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and capture significant amounts of carbon.

Reforestation & Afforestation: For non-productive or underutilized agricultural lands, reforestation (replanting forests) or afforestation (creating new forests) can turn former farmlands into powerful carbon sinks.

Improved Grazing Management: For livestock, implementing rotational grazing and other sustainable pasture management techniques can enhance soil carbon sequestration and improve animal health, indirectly reducing overall emissions.

The journey towards net-zero agriculture is complex, but the path is clear. By adopting these innovative and sustainable practices, the agricultural sector can not only reduce its environmental footprint but also become a crucial part of the global climate solution.

 Farmers are not just food producers; they are stewards of our land and key players in securing a sustainable future for all.

What practices do you think are most effective for greening our farms? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Are They Calculated and From Where Do They Originate?

The main culprit raising Earth's temperature: greenhouse gases! 

To effectively reduce them, we need to know exactly where and how much of these gases are being emitted. 

International efforts like the Paris Agreement, which you might be familiar with, begin precisely with this emission calculation.

In this blog post, we'll tell you everything you need to know about "Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How They're Measured and Their Sources." What standards and methods lie behind the good news that South Korea's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.3% in 2022 compared to the previous year? Let's find out together!

1. Why Do We Need to Calculate Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Calculating greenhouse gas emissions is the first step in combating climate change. 

Just as we get regular check-ups to understand our body's health, we need to accurately grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions for the Earth's well-being. 

This data forms the basis for national policy-making, sets standards for corporate carbon reduction efforts, and ultimately provides the foundation for international cooperation to prevent global warming.

All parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are required to submit their national greenhouse gas emission statistics to the UN, applying the new international standard: the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2006 IPCC Guidelines). 

This is not just about reporting; it's a crucial process that encourages countries to take responsible climate action.

2. Where Do Greenhouse Gases Come From? (Industries Included in Calculation)

Greenhouse gases are generated in various industrial sectors closely linked to our daily lives. Let's look at the main sources of emissions by category.

Energy Sector: 

The Lifeblood of Industry, Fuel Consumption

Stationary Combustion:

Emissions occur when solid fuels, natural gas, or liquid fuels are burned in power plants, factories, and other facilities to produce energy. 

The electricity and heat we use originate here.

Mobile Combustion: 

Greenhouse gases are released when fuel is burned in all modes of transport, including cars, airplanes, ships, and trains. Emissions occur every time we move.

Petroleum Refining: 

Even in the process of refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other products, greenhouse gases are emitted from various processes such as hydrogen production, catalyst regeneration, and coke manufacturing.

Industrial Processes & Product Use: 

Emissions within Production

Mineral Industry: 

Greenhouse gases are emitted from chemical reactions during the production of cement, lime, and glass, or from the use of carbonates. 

The cement industry, in particular, is a major source of carbon dioxide.

Chemical Industry: 

Greenhouse gases are generated during the production of various chemical products such as ammonia, nitric acid, and adipic acid. 

Certain substances like fluorinated compounds have very high global warming potentials.

Metal Industry: 

In the smelting and production of metals like iron, ferroalloys, zinc, lead, and magnesium, significant energy is consumed, and specific reactions lead to greenhouse gas emissions.

Electronics Industry: 

Certain gases (e.g., fluorinated compounds) used in the production of semiconductors, LCDs, and PV (photovoltaics), as well as heat transfer fluids, act as sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Other Sources: 

Not to Be Overlooked

Waste Treatment: 

Greenhouse gases are emitted from waste treatment processes, such as methane gas (CH4) from solid waste landfills and carbon dioxide from waste incineration. 

Wastewater treatment also significantly contributes to methane and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.

Fugitive Emissions: 

These refer to gases, such as methane, that are unintentionally released into the atmosphere during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas.

ODS Substitutes: 

Some substances used to replace ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the past (e.g., HFCs) are powerful greenhouse gases.

External Electricity and Heat Use: 

Even if fuels are not burned directly, the use of externally supplied electricity or heat includes the greenhouse gas emissions generated from their energy source.

Other: 

Various activities, including the shipbuilding industry, fuel cells, and emissions related to carbon capture and storage (CCUS), can also be included in greenhouse gas calculations.

Climate Change and Response: Global Concerns and the Role of Business

🚨 Earth's Temperature Up by 0.75℃! In-depth Analysis of the Korea CDP 2024 Report: Corporate Climate Crisis Response Status and Future Prospects 

🌍 #ClimateChange #CarbonNeutrality #CDPReport #ESGMangement #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #GlobalIssue #EnvironmentalProtection #FutureGeneration

In recent years, 'climate change' and 'carbon neutrality' have emerged as global hot topics. 

Moving beyond mere calls from environmental groups, they have become key keywords determining corporate survival and national competitiveness. 

The fact that the Earth's temperature has risen by 0.75℃ over the past 100 years is sounding a serious alarm for us. 

The reality of Tuvalu, a beautiful island nation in the South Pacific, facing submersion due to sea-level rise, along with unpredictable torrential rains and extreme droughts, is no longer a distant issue.

The consistent advocacy of Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg and former US Vice President Al Gore has played a significant role in spreading awareness of this crisis worldwide. 

Unlike unpredictable disasters like asteroid collisions, climate change is a problem we can fully recognize and address based on clear scientific evidence. 

If the global community pools its wisdom and efforts, we can hopefully reverse this massive trend.

Diagnosis of Korean Companies' Climate Crisis Response Status: In-depth Analysis of the CDP 2024 Report Amidst this global concern, the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) plays a crucial role in encouraging companies and cities worldwide to transparently disclose their environmental impact, particularly their carbon emissions and climate change response efforts. 

The recently published 'Korea CDP 2024 Report' is a significant indicator that thoroughly reveals the climate crisis response status of domestic companies.

In this post, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the key findings of the Korea CDP 2024 Report, closely examining the climate governance, greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and the status of responses to water, plastic, and biodiversity issues among domestic companies, and suggest future directions.

✅ Key Findings Preview:

• Climate Governance: Formal systems are in place, but securing substantive leadership is urgent.
• Climate Risks and Response Strategies: Risk awareness has increased, but integration with actual management strategies is insufficient.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Scope 3 emissions are overwhelmingly high, necessitating urgent management and reduction efforts.
• Carbon Reduction Targets: Target setting is active, but the pace of implementation is still slow.
• RE100 and Renewable Energy: The utilization rate of domestic PPAs is very low, requiring regulatory improvement.
• Water/Plastic/Biodiversity: Corporate awareness and response to environmental issues other than climate change are still in the early stages.

🌊 Clear Signs of Global Temperature Change: 

The Current State of Climate Change on the Korean Peninsula The Korean Peninsula, where we live, is also not immune to the effects of rising global temperatures. 

The past climate formula of "cold winters and hot summers" is gradually breaking down. Changes in summer monsoon patterns, spring droughts, and rising average temperatures are directly impacting our agriculture and ecosystems. 

The cultivation of subtropical crops in the southern coast and the northward migration of major fish species like squid and pollock due to changes in ocean currents demonstrate that climate change has already deeply infiltrated our lives.

💡 Hope for Future Energy: 

The Present and Future of Nuclear Fusion Research Amidst this crisis, nuclear fission and fusion technologies, which are attracting attention as future energy sources, are offering new hope to humanity. 

In particular, the research on Tokamak-type nuclear fusion at Korea's K-STAR and the international joint research project ITER is raising expectations for securing clean and safe energy sources.

🎯 The Path to Carbon Neutrality: 

Our Efforts and Challenges The key to solving the climate change problem is to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) emissions, that is, to achieve carbon neutrality. 

Various measures for achieving carbon neutrality are being explored in high-carbon-emitting sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, and the CDP report serves as an important compass for reviewing the progress of these efforts and suggesting future directions.

Emotional, spicy and salty chili pepper pickles and jjanchi

The story of spicy and salty pickled chili peppers and jjanchi

The charm of pickled foods and the flavor of traditional Korean side dishes

Jangajji, standing in the middle of raw and cooked food

Before humans used fire, they ate mainly raw food. Raw food, which is mainly composed of plant-based ingredients, has the advantage of allowing the intake of vitamins that are sensitive to heat.

On the other hand, carbohydrate foods such as rice, potatoes, and bread are difficult to digest and absorb if not heated.

A representative food that can be enjoyed without heating is **pickled vegetables**. Jangajji is a healthy pickled food that is in the middle of traditional cooked food and raw food.

Pickled chili peppers, a warm taste in saltiness

One of the most popular pickled vegetables in Korea is pickled chili peppers.

With just one salty pickled chili pepper on freshly cooked rice, you can finish a bowl of rice without any side dishes.

Jangajji is made by boiling soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar in a pickling broth, and adding red peppers, garlic shoots, soybean leaves, radish, onions, sesame seeds, and melons, and letting it mature for a certain period of time.

It is a traditional side dish that whets the appetite with its salty taste and crunchy texture.

What is the difference between Jangajji and pickles?

A food similar to pickled red peppers is Western pickles.

Pickles are similar to Jangajji in that they are made by pickling vegetables using vinegar and spices, and can be stored for a long time.

However, Jangajji is characterized by its salty and deep soy sauce base that suits the taste of Koreans,

and it also serves as a great side dish on its own.

The difference between Jangajji, Kimchi, and Jjanchi

Jangajji is a non-fermented pickled food, and kimchi is a fermented pickled food. According to this standard, Jangajji is a preserved food that is stored without fermentation,

and Kimchi is a fermented food that has a deep flavor through lactic acid bacteria fermentation.

There is also a similar concept called ‘Jjanji’.

Jjanji is originally a very salty food made by pickling radish in salt, and it is a pickled food that focuses on salinity rather than fermentation.

As it originated from the expression ‘salty kimchi’, it is closer to kimchi than Jangajji.

Globalization of Jangajji: Plum Pickles vs. Japanese Umeboshi

Plum pickles are loved in Korea as a summer delicacy that whets the appetite.

On the other hand, Japanese Umeboshi uses the same plums, but is very salty and has a strong acidity.

The difference is that Korean-style plum pickles aim for a sweet and sour taste,

and are made to go well with rice or meat.

Conclusion: Jangajji is not just a simple side dish

Traditional pickled foods such as chili pepper pickles and janchi are not simply side dishes to be eaten with rice,

but are healthy preserved foods and slow foods that contain the wisdom of our ancestors.

Recalling the warmth and wisdom contained in the salty taste, how about putting some chili pepper pickles on for dinner tonight?

Related keywords:

 - How to make chili pepper pickles

 - Difference between janchi and jangajji

 - Types of pickled foods

 - How to store jangajji

 - Traditional side dishes

 - Soy sauce pickled vegetables recipe

The Future of Korea's Coal Industry

 석탄은 석유와 마찬가지로 지구의 역사상 중생대의 초목이 고온 고압으로 탄화되어 표면에 드러난 것으로 온실가스 발생을 포함한 기후 변화에 막대한 영향을 미친다.

Coal, like oil, is the result of the high temperature and high pressure carbonization of Mesozoic vegetation in Earth's history, and has a huge impact on climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently, the Jangseong sales office in Gangwon Province closed for the last time, and as a result, the coal company had no choice but to turn its attention to other areas, such as asbestos removal.

Even now, remnants of coal mines remain in Dogye, Samcheok, Cheoram, and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province and Mungyeong in Gyeongsang Province, and a coal mine remains in Hwasun, Jeolla Province.

​While oil is now changing into an alternative energy source, coal is bound to emit more carbon dioxide than oil, and it also produces pollutants such as soot, and the impact on the human body during coal mining is bound to be greater.

Personally, I think it will be replaced by nuclear power plants, and further, nuclear fusion or small SMRs will become alternatives.

Even briquettes, represented by 19-gong-tan, are now only used for grilling meat, and charcoal such as oak has changed to charcoal grilling or steaming in kilns.

Even if explosives with strong explosive power are used to reduce damage from typhoons or tornadoes, and they disappear before civilians are harmed, somewhere on Earth, someone will inevitably be affected, whether the temperature or water temperature rises.

The greenhouse gas emission factor is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when burning 1 kg of fuel.

Bi-tuminous coal: 2.7 ~ 3.5 kgCO₂/kg

Diesel oil: approximately 3.1 kgCO₂/kg

How to respond to the EU CSDDD (Supply Chain Sustainability Due Diligence Guidelines)

We should also pay attention to various measures in the EU related to ESG (sustainability). As one of the supply chain ESG management, the global regulation currently being implemented in Europe, the Supply Chain Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD), will soon be implemented, so each company should prepare for it.

1. EU CSDDD On May 24, 2024, the European Parliament finally approved the EU Council and EU Commission agreement on the EU's Sustainable Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) with 374 votes in favor, 235 votes against, and 19 abstentions. It imposes a supply chain due diligence obligation to prevent human rights violations and environmental damage that may occur in the corporate value chain, and strengthens the victims' right to relief. ​2. EU CSDDD Supply Chain Due Diligence Obligation - For companies within the EU, 'companies with 1,000 employees and global net sales exceeding 450 million euros' - For companies outside the EU, 'companies with EU net sales exceeding 450 million euros' are included in the supply chain due diligence obligation. 3. Domestic companies' response to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act In June 2024, it was reported that Hyundai Motor Group began full-scale supply chain ESG management in order to respond to various global regulations including the European Corporate Sustainable Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Domestic companies will be subject to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act in stages from 2027 to 2029. 4. Measures for non-compliance with regulations 1). Companies that do not comply with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act will be subject to a fine of up to 5% of their global sales based on the previous fiscal year. 2). The European Civil Court can hold companies accountable for their actions, and those who have suffered damages due to the implementation of the Directive can be compensated for the impacts. 5. EU CSDDD response measures 1). Cooperation between human rights and environment teams Cooperation between human rights and environment departments and integrated risk assessments to respond to CSDDD 2). Shift to risk assessments for local communities Consider the potential impacts on local communities and ecosystems where companies operate when conducting social and environmental risk assessments, and form long-term relationships with local communities in the supply chain. 3). Linking actions with ESG disclosures Establish strategies to proactively address, prevent, and correct damage already incurred, with rapidly increasing ESG DATA 4). Encourage participation of the entire supply chain when risks occur Impacts should be mitigated and improved across the entire supply chain, including upstream and downstream, to prevent suspension or withdrawal of transactions with suppliers, and encourage participation.