Carbon Emission Reduction Strategies in Urban Water Sectors: A Case Study in Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea

Achieving carbon neutrality is a priority in global environmental policies, and South Korea is committed to its 2050 carbon neutrality goal. This study explores methods to reduce carbon emissions in urban water cycle (UWC) systems, which are essential urban infrastructures that consume considerable energy. Focusing on Incheon Metropolitan City (IMC), the research identifies UWC components, estimates energy consumption, and calculates carbon emissions across eight administrative districts. The analysis comprises four water abstraction plants (WAPs), four water treatment plants (WTPs), and eleven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Strategies for carbon reduction involve decreasing water and energy consumption and minimizing emissions from wastewater treatment. This study categorizes management targets as water, energy, and carbon, developing different carbon emissions reduction scenarios. A carbon emission calculation model for WTPs and WWTPs was developed to evaluate energy consumption and carbon emissions across scenarios. Notably, the scenario focusing on renewable energy development and energy efficiency improvements yielded the highest carbon emissions reductions, confirming that the government’s renewable energy initiatives are vital for achieving net-zero emissions in IMC’s UWC systems. Conversely, the scenario prioritizing water use reduction proved less effective, but excelled regarding investment costs. These findings can serve as a model for other cities managing UWC systems while striving for sustainability.