Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: In 2020-22, the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) had negative and strategic engagement with climate change regulations, including opposition to the South Korean government’s Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) policy. In 2020-22, KAMA had negative engagement on the electrification of the transportation sector, while promoting the long-term role of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Recent years in 2023-24, KAMA has more positive engagement with electrification of transport.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020-22, KAMA had taken negative positions in its top-line messaging on climate policy. In 2023-24, InfluenceMap found limited evidence of clear top-line messaging on climate policy by KAMA. In an October 2023 press release, KAMA Chairman Kang Nam-hoon suggested the need for a discussion on strengthened international environmental regulations and response strategy of the Korean Automobile Industry but did not disclose details on his position on climate change regulation.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: In 2020-22, KAMA had negative engagement on South Korea’s GHG emissions reduction targets, but it expressed positive and negative positions towards the targets in 2023-24. KAMA has also supported implementing circular economy policies that aid the recycling of electric vehicle batteries.
In the January 2024 issue of the KEF Monthly e-magazine, KAMA appeared to oppose GHG emissions regulations and the low-emission vehicle distribution target, arguing that these overlapping regulations create challenges in securing competitiveness. In a November 2023 National Assembly Policy Report, KAMA emphasized the challenges in achieving the 2030 Emissions Reduction Target and advocated for expanison of biofuels, managing traffic demand and promoting public transportation, rather than imposing overly burdensome CO2 regulations and mandatory zero-emission vehicle sales. However, in a March 2023 press release, KAMA Chairman, Kang Nam-hoon, supported increasing the supply of electric vehicles (EV) and hydrogen vehicles to achieve the 2030 NDC GHG emissions reduction target in the transportation sector.
In the National Assembly Policy Seminar, KAMA Chairman Kang Nam-hoon acknowledged the importance of recycling technologies for EV batteries and related infrastructure in South Korea, supporting the amendment of the Energy Use Rationalization Act to expand the use of recycled EV batteries.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2020-22, KAMA negatively engaged with the transition to a low-carbon energy mix in the transport sector, while promoting the long-term role of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In 2023-24, KAMA has had more positive engagement on the electrification of the transportation sector, without directly stating its position on the phase-out of ICE vehicles.
In a December 2023 National Assembly Policy Report, KAMA Chairman Kang Nam-hoon supported the electrification of transportation and the Future Vehicles Special Act to support auto parts manufacturers transition their operations towards EV’s.