Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum raises the anchor for a grand transition into 2050 carbon neutrality

Presiding over the first meeting of the‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission’, an organization responsible for promoting the 2050 Carbon Neutrality initative

- Review the progress of major policy tasks by sector, including climate change and energy 
- 2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios are scheduled to be prepared through a wide range of discussions and public debates among sectoral Consultation Bodies and the Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality

□ On the afternoon of May 29 (Sat), the Government held the first meeting of the ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission’ at the Dong Daemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum (Co-Chairpersons*).
* Co-Chairperson representing civil sector: Yun Sun-Jin, Professor, Seoul National University

※ (Composition) ▴Ex-officio members (18 persons): Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and Financial Services Commission

▴ Appointed positions (77 people): Kang Myeong-su, Kang Sam-kwon, Kang Young-jin, Ko Jae-kyung, Kwon Oh-hyeon, Kim Ki-moon, Kim Dong-myung, Kim Dong-wook, Kim Mi-hwa, Kim Min, Kim Bu-gi, Kim Seon-myung, Kim Seong-woo, Kim Seung-wan, Kim Seung-taek, Kim Yong-jin, Kim Jeong-in, Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jwa-kwan, Kim Chun-i, Kim Hana, Kim Hye-ae, Kim Hee-cheol, Ryu Seong-pil, Moon Dong-jun, Park Duk-young, Park Jin-mi, Park Tae-hyun, Park Hyeon-min, Park Hyeon-jeong, Park Hyeong-gun, Park Hye-rin, Baek Jong-yeon, Seo Wang-jin, Song Sang-seok, Song Ha-jin, Ahn Byeong-ok, Ahn Hong-taek, Yang Heung-mo, Oh Yeon-jae, Oh Hyeong-na, Yoo Ga-young, Yoo Seung-jik, Yoon Young-mi, Yoon Tae-hwan, Lee Gyu-jin, Lee Ki-taek, Lee Dong-hak, Lee Myeong-ju, Lee Mi-kyung , Lee Mi-hye, Lee Seon-kyung, Lee Yu-jin, Lee Eun-hee, Lee Jae-jun, Lee Chang-hoon, Lee Hyeon-jun, Lim Ki-sang, Lim Sang-woong, Seong-jin Lim, Lim Chun-taek, Kyung-ae Jang, Jeon Myeong-suk, Jeon Young-hwan, Jeon Ui-chan, Byeong-gi Jeong, Jeong Jeong-hee, Jeong Eunmi, Cho Gyu-ri, Cho Yong-seong, Cho Hong-shik, Choi Gyeong-sun, Choi Jeong-woo, Choo So-yeon, Choo Hyeong-wook, Hong Soo-yeol, Hong Hye-ran

□ At the first meeting, the composition and operation plan (draft) of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission, which will be responsible for processing carbon neutrality policies, was reviewed and confirmed.

ㅇ The Commission has organized a total of eight 'Sub-Commissions*' for efficient discussions on various areas related to carbon neutrality, and matters requiring in-depth professional review are to be analyzed and discussed in the ‘Expert Commission**’, which was established to provide advice to the Commission.
* ▴ Climate change ▴Energy innovation ▴Economic industry ▴Green life ▴Just transition ▴Science and technology ▴International cooperation ▴Citizens’ participation
** Formed and operated with a pool of experts in various fields through recommendations from relevant Ministries and stakeholders

ㅇ Additionally, a 'Consultation Body' for industry, labor, civil society, youth, and local governments that can directly represent the locals and different fields was formed, and it was decided a ‘Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality*’ is to be formed and operated, so that the general public can directly participate in policy formulation through deliberation and discussion.
* Members of the Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality are to be randomly selected based not only on willingness to participate, but also ensure that the Citizens’ Council is representative of the Korean population (gender, age, region, etc.)

□ Second, at today’s meeting, the report on the review schedule for major policy tasks of each Ministry for the implementation of carbon neutrality was published, and major work plans for this year were discussed.

ㅇ In accordance with the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Promotion Strategy (December 7, 2020)*’ announced last year, the Commission has received progress reports on the tasks of five sectors, including △climate change, △energy innovation, △industrial transformation, △green life, △just transition, and domestic and international cooperation and communication. 
* “3+1” strategy: ① Low-carbon economic structure ② Creation of a low-carbon industrial ecosystem ③ Just transition to a carbon-neutral society + ④ Reinforcement of the carbon-neutrality system base

ㅇ Given that each task has a large social impact, it was determined that each Sub-Commission is to become the center of the overall policy establishment and implementation process to enhance policy effectiveness.

□ Finally, today’s meeting discussed the plan for establishing “Carbon Neutrality Scenarios”, which propose a long-term direction for implementing the 2050 carbon neutrality initative. 

ㅇ Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is a challenging task that requires a major transformation in all sectors of society. Therefore, the Commission agreed that it is important to implement the policies in a continuous and consistent manner based on public consensus and social support.

ㅇ Additionally, by considering that each Carbon Neutrality Scenario is a blueprint that provides a vision for economic and social changes in Korea for the next 30 years, and could have a large impact on future generations, we decided to thoroughly review this initiative based on sufficient communications, especially with the young generation.

ㅇ The Commission will discuss the future vision for 2050 Carbon Neutrality and the emission reduction measures by each sector to be included in the 2050 “Carbon Neutrality Scenarios” in future sub-commission and expert commission meetings, and the final Scenarios will be prepared through a wide range of consultations and public debates among Consultation Groups and the Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality.

□ At today's meeting, Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum mentioned that, "The 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission will serve as a compass for Korea in pioneering a new route toward 'carbon neutrality'“. 

ㅇ Prime Minister Kim stressed that “the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission is to take the lead in preparing for a major economic and social transition toward carbon neutrality in the future.”

□ The 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission is co-chaired by Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum and Professor Yun Sun-Jin of Seoul National University as Co-Chairpersons (two members), with 18 related Ministers and experts in climate change, energy, industry, and labor for an extensive discussions in all fields of economy and society. The Commission is composed of a total of 97 members (including the two Co-Chairpersons), with 77 civic members representing various fields, including civil society and youth groups.
* (Operation Basis) 「Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」 (Came into effect in May 2021)

ㅇ The Commission will lead the transition towards a carbon-neutral society in the field of industry, economy, and society by discussing promotion strategies and major policies to realize 2050 Carbon Neutrality based on consultation with industry and civil society.

□ Prior to the first meeting, the launching ceremony of the ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission’ took place. This launching ceremony was attended by President Moon Jae-in at 2 pm. The President Moon asked the Commission to establish a solid foundation to achieve 2050 Carbon Neutrality and to develop strong and effective policies.