The「2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」 conducted activities to promote Korea’s “2050 Carbon Neutrality strategy” and discussed carbon neutrality cooperation with Japan, the European Union(EU), Denmark, Sweden, and Germany during the UNFCCC COP26

Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission attended the 26th Conference of the  arties(COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC COP26) (November 1.-12.), presented at the ICLEI·UNESCAP·UNFCCC* side event, and held bilateral meetings**

* (`ICLEI) World Council of Local Governments (UNESCAP), United Nations Economic and Social Council for the Asia Pacific, (UNFCCC) Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
** Institute for Global Environmental Strategies(IGES), European Union Parliamentary(EP), European Climate Foundation, Denmark Energy Agency(DEA), Sweden Foreign Ministry COP26 Negotiation Representative, German Foreign Ministry Special Representative for Climate and Energy, etc.

- Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin delieverd presentations on topics related to the ▵2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios and ▵the enhanced 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC) at a side event hosted by ICLEI, UNESCAP, and UNFCCC 

- Japan, the European Union(EU), Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, provided positive feedback on the ▵2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (2030 NDC) and expressed high praise to the ▵2050 Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plan

□ Yun Sun-Jin, Co-Chairperson of the 「2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」, attended the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC COP26) held in Glasgow, UK (November 1~12) and took this opportunity to attend ▵a side event hosted by the International Council of Local Governments for Sustainable Development(ICLEI) (November 3), and the ▵United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) (November 8), and also participated ▵in a side event hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) (November 10). Co-Chairperson Yun introduced the preparation process and significance of Korea’s ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios’ and enhanced ‘2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (2030 NDC)’, and made thematic presentations on Korea's willingess and implementation strategy to promote the “2050 carbon neutrality” goal.

ㅇ At a side event hosted by the International Council of Local Governments for Sustainable Development(ICLEI) held at the German Pavillion on the afternoon of November 3(Tuesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, introduced Korea's Green New Deal policy for green recovery and carried out ▵carbon neutrality promotion activities. During this process, thematic presentations were made on the role of local governments and strategies to promote cooperation between central and local governments. 

ㅇ Moreover, at the UNESCAP side event “Achieving the 1.5°C Goal in the Asia-Pacific Region” held on the morning of November 8(Monday), “Korea’s Efforts for the 1.5°C Goal: 2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios” and the 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC)” were presented.

ㅇ On the morning of November 10 (Wed), at the “Dialogue of National GHG Management Voluntary Programs for Climate Action” event hosted by the UNFCCC, Co-Chairperson Yun made a thematic presentation on 『Korea's 2050 Carbon Neutrality Promotion Strategy』.

□ Additionally, Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, had bilateral meetings with COP26 delegations including Japan, the European Union, France, Denmark, Sweden and Germany, and exchanged views on the implementation status of carbon neutrality in each country. Co-Chairperson Yun also asked to strengthen cooperation for the realization of global carbon neutrality in Korea. 

※ List of key bilateral meetings: ▵Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Director, Japan Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) (* Videoconference  oncurrently held), ▵Pascal Canfin, European Parliament(EP) Chairman of the Environment Committee with approximately 20 members of the Environment Committee, ▵Laurence Tubiana, President of the European Climate Foundation, ▵Anton Beck, Director of International  ooperation, Denmark Energy Agency(DEA), ▵Mathias Mattias Frumerie, chief COP26 negotiator at the Swedish Foreign Ministry, ▵Hinrich Tölken, special representative for climate and energy at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.

● Bilateral Meeting with the Japan Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES) (November 8)

□ In a video conference with prominent researchers including Kazuhiko Takeuchi, director of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan, held on the morning of November 8 (Monday), Co-Chairperson Yun emphasized that the 2050 carbon neutrality goal both in Korea and Japan can be considered the most symbolic carbon-neutrality declarations in the Asia-Pacific region.

ㅇ Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin expressed that given the fact that the manufacturing industry occupies a relatively high proportion in Japan's overall economic structure, the need for cooperation in areas such as ▵ energy transformation and ▵ transition to low-carbon industry and potential of cooperation is high in the process of promoting carbon neutrality both for Korea and Japan in the future. Co-Chairperson Yun said that she would actively exchange and cooperate with Japanese authorities in the future.

□ Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President of the IGES, expressed views on the fact that the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission has been actively engaged in such activities as ▵the 2050 Carbon Neutral Scenarios (draft) review and ▵the enhanced 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (2030 NDC) review since the inauguration of the 「2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」, and also mentioned that the 「Japan Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES)」is actively conducting expert research on climate change response, carbon neutrality among others, and providing government advice. President Kazuhiko Takeuchi said he hoped to strengthen the exchange and cooperation with the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission,” which is made up of members from all different sectors.

ㅇ President Kazuhiko Takeuchi agreed that the realization of the 2050 carbon neutrality implementation between Korea and Japan could become an important driver for carbon neutrality in the Asia-Pacific region and global economy, and expressed that he hoped that communication and cooperation between the two countries would further be enhanced throughout the 2050 carbon neutrality promotion process.

● Bilateral Meeting with the Director of International Cooperation, Denmark Energy Agency (DEA) (November 9)

□ In a meeting with Anton Beck, director of international cooperation at the Denmark Energy Agency(DEA), held on the morning of November 9 (Tuesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin said that the Republic of Korea announced the 2050 carbon neutrality Scenarios, ▵indicated that a series of tasks have been carried out, such as preparing an upgraded 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC), and spoke positively of Denmark for its role as a leading country in carbon neutrality by announcing ▵2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC) of 70% (compared to 1990 level) and ▵enactment of carbon-neutrality law. 

ㅇ As Denmark possesses excellent technology and abundant experience in the renewable energy sector, including bio-energy and wind power generation, Co-Chairperson Yun said that she hoped that cooperation between Korea and Denmark in such sector would further be  trengthened in the future.

□ Anton Beck, director of international cooperation at the Denmark Energy Agency(DEA) commended Korea for the establishment of the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission” after announcing the “2050 Carbon Neutrality” goal. He later mentioned that Denmark is a country with a high proportion of renewable energy, and mentioned that he thought there is abundant potential for cooperation between Korea and Denmark in the process of promoting carbon neutrality.

ㅇ Additionally, Director Anton Beck said that Denmark, as the host country of the 1st P4G Summit, has placed profound importance on strengthening international partnerships for green growth, and asked Korea and Denmark to work together.

● Bilateral Meeting with the European Union Parliament (EP) Environment Committee (November 9)

□ On the afternoon of November 9 (Tuesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin met with Pascal Canfin, Chairman of the European Parliament(EP) Environment Committee, and members of the Environment Committee (approximately 20 people from Sweden, France, and the Netherlands, etc.), and introduced Korea’s “2050 carbon neutrality” plan.

ㅇ Furthermore, Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, expressed a positive opinion on the European Union's role in leading global carbon neutrality cooperation and mentioned that given the early industrialization of the European Union and the peak of its greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions compared to those of Korea, the 2050 carbon neutrality goal could possible be achieve sooner than anticipated.

□ In this regard, Pascal Canfin, Chairman of the Environment Commission of the European Parliament(EP), said that Korea’s “2050 carbon neutrality” declaration was a very encouraging move, and noted that the EP(European Parliament) delegation paid special attention to the fact that the 「2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」collected opinions from all different sectors, including industry and energy, civil society, and youth in the review process of the ▵ '2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios' and ▵ '2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC)’. Chairman Pascal Canfin also mentioned that he hopes that the carbon neutrality cooperation between Korea and the EU will become stronger in the future.

ㅇ Additionally, Chairman Pascal Canfin welcomed Korea's enactment of the 「Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green  Growth(FACNGG)」and the incorporation of carbon neutrality into law, and said that he hoped that cooperation the two countries at the parliamentary level would also be strengthened.

● Bilateral Meeting with the  representative of the European Climate Foundation (November 9)

□ On the afternoon of November 9 (Tuesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin met with Laurence Tubiana, President of the European Climate Foundation, and discussed Korea's '2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios' and enhanced ‘2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC) among other topics. 

ㅇ Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, indicated that the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission” listened to the opinions of stakeholders through Consultation Bodies, along with the formation and operation of the Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality, which carried out the process of sharing and deliberation of information on the climate crisis among the general public. Additionally, Co-Chairperson Yun explained that opinions have been collected through surveys and in particular, she described how such mechanism broadened the participation of young people over the age 15 during the creation of the Citizens’ Council on Carbon Neutrality.

□ In response, Lawrence Tubiana said that she was deeply impressed by Korea’s public opinion collecting process, and that achieving global carbon neutrality requires, not only the active involvement of Governments and businesses, but also academia and research institutions. Recognizing this, Tubiana said that she hoped the 「2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission」 and the European Climate Foundation would continue to actively cooperate.

● Bilateral Meeting with the Swedish Foreign Ministry COP26 negotiator interview (November 9)

□ On the afternoon of November 9 (Tuesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, met with Mattias Frumerie, COP26 negotiation representative of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the meeting, Co-Chairperson Yun mentioned that considering Sweden was the first country to legalize carbon neutrality in the world, this country could serve as a prime example for Korea in the process of promoting 2050 carbon neutrality. Co-Chairperson Yun also added that she hoped to strengthen cooperation in the field of carbon neutrality between Korea and Sweden in due course.

ㅇ Furthermore, Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin stressed that by enacting the 「Framework Act Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth(FACNGG)」this year, it has become clear that “2050 carbon neutrality” is not an option, but a path that must be followed. Further, she explained that institutional and policy preparations for the “2050 carbon neutrality” implementation are being steadily conducted.

□ In response, Matthias Frumerier, COP26 negotiation representative of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Sweden has been carrying out relevant works, such as economic structure innovation and making perception changes to achieve carbon neutrality in each sector. Matthias Frumerier welcomed Korea's enactment of Carbon Neutrality Framework Act and said he hoped that Korea could faithfully implement all the necessary steps to achieve the “2050 carbon neutrality” goal.

ㅇ Matthias Frumerier also mentioned that he welcomed Korea's announcement of the '2050 Carbon Neutrality Scenarios' and enhanced '2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC)', saying that he hoped that communication and cooperation between the two countries would further be enhanced in the process of carbon neutrality implementation.

● Bilateral Meeting with the German Foreign Ministry Special Representative for Climate and Energy (November 10)

□ In the afternoon of November 10 (Wednesday), Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin, met with Hinrich Tölken, special representative for climate and energy at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and provided a positive evaluation on Germany's innovative achievements in fields such as expanding the supply of eco-friendly vehicles. Furthermore, she said that she hoped to actively share experiences on carbon neutrality issue with Germany.

ㅇ Additionally, Co-Chairperson Yun Sun-Jin mentioned that considering Germany is playing a leading role in ▵ renewable energy expansion and ▵ the education of youth and young adults on climate issues, she hoped that cooperation in such fields would be strengthened as well.

□ Ambassador Tölken welcomed Korea's declaration of “2050 carbon neutrality” and the announcement of the “2030 Nationally Determined Contributions(2030 NDC)”, which was made during the COP26 meeting. He also mentioned that it was very encouraging for Korea to make efforts to respond to global climate crisis in all sectors of the economy and society through the “2050 carbon neutrality” initiative.

ㅇ The Ambassador added that he appreciated sharing views on ways to further strengthen cooperation between Korea and Germany on the global climate agenda, and said that he hoped to further expand exchanges and cooperation with the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Commission” in the future.