Seoul National University Seoul, Republic of Korea
Abstract: In 2019, all countries participating in the IPCC at COP 25 agreed on the need to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment presented carbon neutrality plans for climate change response in 2020, and passed the framework act on carbon neutrality to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. Environmentally-friendly development strategies are being adopted in development projects with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. In particular, as part of comprehensive development plans for new airports, policy goals and strategies are being established to build airports that are sustainable and carbon neutral.
This study selected the Gadeok New Airport development plans for sustainable carbon neutrality, and analyzed Gadeok Island’s carbon storage using the InVEST model. study area is ecologically valuable because its coastal and forest terrain make it ecologically diverse. A national natural environment survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment in Korea reported that endangered species such as Buzzard(Pernis ptilorhynchus), Japanese paradise flycatcher(Terpsiphone atrocaudata), Eurasian hobby(Falco subbuteo), Black Kite(Milvus migrans) were found. It is a wildlife habitat site for endangered species and natural monument species as designated, and the subject of disputes between advocates of ecological protection and those favoring human development.
Changes in carbon storage were compared between Gadeok Island before development and two development alternatives. A comparison between development alternative (A) and Gadeok Island in 2020 showed a 7.3% decrease in carbon storage, which is equivalent to 16,580.23 Mg. For the comparison between development alternative (B) and Gadeok Island, the decrease was much greater at 2.69%, or 6,104.085 Mg. Alternative (B) has a larger area than Alternative (A) by 1.92㎢, but the proportion of decrease in carbon storage was smaller by 4.6%.
This study compared and assessed carbon storage for the Gadeok New Airport in consideration of the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and the importance of preservation of carbon sinks. In this study, by providing the value of changes in the value of ecosystem services, the impact of land use changes has been provided to inform recent policy-makers so that they can make optimal choices. Lastly ecological changes associated with new airport development should be examined, and maintenance and management of carbon storage to restore climate controls and the valuation of biodiversity should be considered by developers and government officials. It is judged that it will be a meaningful study by applying the quantitative evaluation methodology of ecosystem services for the planned development area.
