Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Korea Business Council for Sustainable Development (KBCSD) appears to have limited engagement with climate policy in South Korea. While the association has expressed support for climate action in its top-line messaging, it took mixed positive and negative positions on the transition to a low-carbon energy mix.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2021-23, KBCSD took supportive positions on the need for climate action in its top-line messaging, but often did not specify a time-frame for emissions reductions in line with IPCC timelines. At a policy meeting with the Ministry of Environment in February 2023, KBCSD Chairman Lee Kyung-ho supported government policies to help businesses achieve carbon neutrality. However, he did not address the need for GHG emissions reductions within a clearly defined time frame. In an April 2023 National Assembly Policy Seminar, KBCSD supported circular economy to achieve net-zero emissions but did not outline a specific timeline. InfluenceMap could not find recent evidence of KBCSD’s position on the need for climate action.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: InfluenceMap found limited evidence of KBCSD’s engagement with climate regulations in 2022 and could not find evidence of engagement in 2023-2024. In a July 2022 Fortune Korea news article, KBCSD Chairman Lee Kyung-ho stated that it would be “not easy to achieve the government’s GHG reduction target” for South Korea’s manufacturing and energy-intensive industries. However, in more recent years, KBCSD did not disclose its position on specific climate regulations.
Positioning on Energy Transition: KBCSD took mixed positive and negative positions on the transition to a low-carbon energy mix. In an August 2024 CEO Report, the association supported infrastructures and systems to develop hydrogen but did not specify its production method or intended use. In an April 2023 National Assembly Policy Seminar, KBCSD supported the transition to low emissions technology. However, in an August 2023 CEO Report, KBCSD appeared to advocate for carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a justification for maintaining the use of fossil fuels.
This summary was last updated in Q1 2025.