Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) appears to have active and positive engagement with renewable energy policy in South Korea, but very limited engagement with other climate policies. The association has supported expanding the use of renewable energy including solar energy, calling for continuous comprehensive support policy from the Korean government.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: InfluenceMap found broadly positive evidence of top-line messaging on climate policy by KOPIA. In a September 2024 Congratulatory remarks for Energy Newspaper, the Chairman of KOPIA, Jong Hwan Park, recognized some of the science of climate change, mentioning disasters caused by abnormal climate. Also, in a December 2023 Electimes news article, the association supported for government regulation to respond to climate change, stating the importance of clear policy direction.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: KOPIA actively supports renewable energy and circular economy policies in South Korea, but it appears to have limited engagement with other climate policies. In a February 2024 Metro news article, KOPIA supported policy to enable solar panel reuses in addition to recycling.
In a February 2024 op-ed in Energy Platform, Vice President of KOPIA called for a series of renewable energy policies with increased ambition: implementation of solar manufacturing and production tax credits, enactment of the Korean version of IRA, establishment of Korea Solar Energy Strategy, and introduction of solar power installation mandates. In a January 2025 new year’s interview published in Industry News, the Chairman of KOPIA, Jong Hwan Park, actively supported renewable energy legislation including the Act on Key National Strategic Network Expansion, Regulation of Separation Distance, Basic Management Plan to support a rapid increase in solar energy in the energy mix. According to a February 2025 Korea Industry Daily news article, KOPIA supported policy measures to vitalize solar power industry, such as introducing installation mandates and abolishing regulatory barriers.
Positioning on Energy Transition: KOPIA has positive engagement with the transition towards renewable energy, especially solar energy, advocating for the need for government policies to support the transition. In a January 2025 new year’s interview published in Industry News, the Chairman of KOPIA, Jong Hwan Park, supported a transition toward renewable energy, referring to renewable energy as “an essential element in achieving the NDC goal”. In a December 2024 EKN news article, KOPIA called for consistent Korean government policies to support a transition toward renewables in line with international trends. In a February 2024 op-ed in Energy Platform, Vice President of KOPIA supported for an increase in solar energy in the energy mix, stating that it is a “key solution and key resource for realizing the 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction plan, achieving carbon neutrality, responding to RE100, securing export competitiveness, and establishing energy security”. In an October 2023 interview published in E2News, the then-Chairman of KOPIA, Hong Sung-min, directly advocated for government policy and investments that aid the development of hydrogen produced using renewable energy, while also supporting additional renewable energy capacity to support this.
This summary was last updated in Q1 2025.