South Korea seeks stronger emission monitoring as reduction rates slow

South Korea is facing challenges in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets as the rate of reduction has slowed for three consecutive years. While the country exceeded its net emission target last year with 590.9 million tons, the reduction rate was only 1.3% compared to 2024, indicating a downward trend in progress.

The National Climate Crisis Response Committee noted that while reductions in the industrial sector were aided by decreased production in high-emission industries like steel, and the energy sector saw growth in renewables, other sectors like transport, agriculture, and waste failed to meet their targets. To achieve the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), South Korea must achieve an average annual reduction rate of 5.9%.

In response, discussions are underway to strengthen the monitoring and forecasting systems for the 2035 NDC. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center recently hosted an international conference to discuss moving ‘from targets to implementation’ through data-driven transparency. Experts emphasized the need for a specialized agency to manage emission forecasting and analysis, alongside the upcoming launch of the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences to support climate action.