Archive · 9 Nov 2025
South Korea PM Vows Balanced Approach on 2035 Emission Goals
South Korea is trying to decide how much to reduce its pollution that warms the planet by the year 2035.
The Prime Minister said the government wants to listen to both businesses and people who care about the environment.
They have two plans: one says cut pollution by 50-60%, and a slightly tougher one says cut it by 53-60%.
Some companies think these numbers are too hard to reach, while some environmental groups think they aren't strict enough.
The government needs to make a final decision soon and tell the United Nations their plan.
This is part of a global effort called the Paris Agreement to help keep the Earth's temperature from getting too high.
South Korean PM vows to consider civil and industrial demands for the 2035 greenhouse gas emission reduction goal.
The government has unveiled two proposals for the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): one ranging from 50-60% reduction and another from 53-60% reduction by 2035.
Industry and environmental groups have expressed conflicting concerns, deeming the targets either too high or too low.
The Constitutional Court previously ruled that emission targets must be scientifically sound and avoid excessive burdens.
South Korea plans to finalize its goal this week and submit it to the UN next week.
- Who
- South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, government officials, ruling party, civil groups, industrial sectors, environmental groups
- What
- Vowing to set a balanced greenhouse gas emission reduction goal for 2035, reflecting input from various sectors, following the unveiling of two proposed reduction targets.
- When
- Sunday (PM's statement); Last week (unveiling proposals); This week (finalizing proposal); Next week (Cabinet meeting, UN submission)
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- To comply with the Paris Agreement's requirement for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and respect a Constitutional Court ruling on emission targets.
Industry Concerns
Environmentalist Concerns
Proposed Emission Reduction Targets
Industry Concerns
Some industrial sectors have expressed concerns that the proposed targets are too high.
Environmentalist Concerns
Environmental groups argue that the proposed targets are too low.
- Current Emission Level (2018)
- 742.3 million tons
- Proposed Emission Reduction Target Range 1
- 50-60% by 2035
- Proposed Emission Reduction Target Range 2
- 53-60% by 2035
- Required Emission Level (50% reduction)
- 371.2 million tons by 2035
- Estimated Emission Level (Last Year)
- 691.6 million tons