Paju City Recognized for Green Initiatives with Multiple Environmental Awards

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, has been honored with both the Minister of Environment Award and the Grand Prize in the Climate, Environment, and Ecology category, recognizing its commitment to RE100 energy transition policies and sustainable practices. The city received the accolades at separate events in July 2025 and February 2026.

Minister of Environment Award for RE100 Achievements

On July 28, 2025, Paju City was presented with the Minister of Environment Award at the ‘VISION 2035! Grand Transition Forum on Climate Crisis,’ held at the Suwon Convention Center. The award acknowledged the city’s innovative approach to RE100, emphasizing collaboration between businesses and citizens [Asiae.co.kr]. The forum, supported by the Ministry of Environment, highlighted exemplary policy cases from local governments leading climate action and energy transition.

Excellence in Green Climate Action

More recently, on February 25, 2026, Paju City secured the Excellence Award in the autonomous sector of the ‘2026 Korea Green Climate Award,’ hosted by the National Assembly Climate Change Forum. This recognition stemmed from the city’s successful implementation of public renewable energy direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), its dedication to RE100 initiatives, and its expansion of hydrogen supply infrastructure.

Paju’s Comprehensive RE100 Policy

The Korea Green Climate Award, a leading comprehensive award in Korea’s climate and energy sector, is organized by the National Assembly Climate Change Forum and recognizes contributions to climate change response and energy transition. Paju City’s winning strategy encompasses several key elements:

• Direct Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Utilizing public land for renewable energy generation through direct PPAs.
• Distributed Energy Specialized Areas: Promoting the development of localized energy resources.
• RE100 Education and Outreach: Providing education and consulting services to citizens, small business owners, and students.
• Dedicated RE100 Framework: Enacting the nation’s first RE100-focused organization and ordinance.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Vice Mayor Choi Byeong-gap expressed his satisfaction with the national recognition of Paju City’s efforts in PPAs, RE100, and hydrogen expansion. He affirmed the city’s continued commitment to advancing its local energy system through renewable energy procurement, distributed energy expansion, resident-participatory energy projects, and hydrogen fuel infrastructure development.

Past Recognition

Paju City’s dedication to sustainability has been previously acknowledged with awards such as the 2011 Korea Green Management Award from the Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the 2013 Natural Environment Grand Award from the Korean Ministry of Environment [Kwater.or.kr]. K-water also received the Encouragement Award in the Korea Green Climate Awards in 2023 [Kwater.or.kr].