Korea is committed to a key role in international climate action through its 2050 net-zero GHG emission target and a 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 2018. This will require a huge transformation towards a carbon neutral energy mix, decarbonized industrial sector, electric vehicles, and zero emission buildings, supported by effective climate finance.

With leading policies, plans, and technologies to achieve net-zero being developed in the EU and the U.S., the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), funded by the Korea Foundation, organized a study tour for Korea’s young leaders in climate and energy policy to meet with and learn from leading experts in the EU and U.S. in May 2022.

Join us for a keynote speech by Professor Seung Jick Yoo of Sookmyung Women's University, which will set the scene for study tour participants to share learning points about achieving net-zero across Korea’s key GHG emitting sectors, followed by reactions and recommendations from leading Korean experts, discussion, and Q&A.

The workshop will be in Korean and English, with simultaneous interpreting.

SPEAKERS

Alistair Ritchie (Moderator) is Director of Asia-Pacific Sustainability at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), where he leads and oversees ASPI’s overall climate portfolio including activities on Asian carbon market development and achieving net-zero GHG emissions in Asia. Alistair is an international expert in greenhouse gas emissions trading systems (ETSs), and a known leader in their development - including as leader of the European Commission project to support the Korean government’s implementation and upgrade of the K-ETS. His experience in Asia builds on many years of EU climate policy development work.

Hyewon Choi is Deputy Director in the Climate Change International Cooperation Team in Korea’s Ministry of Environment. She is in charge of UNFCCC negotiations and her work includes the implementation of Korea’s 2030 GHG emission reduction target (Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement).

Seung Jick Yoo is Professor and Head of the Department of Climate and Environmental Studies at Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea. He is a key advisor to the Korean Government on development of 2030 GHG emission reduction targets and policies, as well as Korea’s 2050 net-zero GHG emissions target, and leads the Climate Change work within Korea’s Carbon Neutrality Committee. Previously, he served as President of Korea’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center (GIR) under the Ministry of Environment where he led the establishment of Korea’s emissions trading system (K-ETS) for GHG emissions.

Rachel Eun Ko is Director of Industrial Decarbonization Program at NEXT Group, an energy and environmental policy think tank dedicated to Korea’s net-zero energy transitions. She leads the work on energy and climate policy trends, business impact of climate change and industrial sector decarbonization strategies. This has included development of a recent report ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap for Korea: K-Map Scenario for Industrial Sector’. Previously, she worked at LG CNS in Seoul and World Bank in Washington D.C. where she gained professional experience in the renewable energy industry with an emphasis on business strategy and policy consulting.