This study is based on the "2050 Climate Neutrality Roadmap for Korea, K-Map Scenario: Implementing an ambitious decarbonization pathway for the benefit of future generations and the Korean economy" released in February 2022, which examines the potential for additional GHG reductions in five emission sectors: transition, industry, transportation, buildings and agriculture, and analyzes the necessary measures. The results of the analysis for each sector are presented in the order of updating the GHG reduction roadmap, analyzing the potential for additional reductions, and proposing necessary policies, with the aim of analyzing the sectors that need rapid transition to achieve carbon neutrality and strengthening national competitiveness. We hope this report will serve as a useful reference for policy makers and researchers working to achieve carbon neutrality.
(Executive Summary)
South Korea has committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Against this backdrop, a consortium of four think tanks – the Green Energy Strategy Institute, the Green Transition Institute, NEXT group and Agora Energiewende – conducted an analysis with the goal of identifying measures and market segments that can be transformed rapidly, while enhancing the country’s competitiveness. This analysis builds upon the 2050 Climate Neutrality Roadmap for Korea (the K-Map scenario) published two years prior and delves into five emitting sectors – power, industry, transport, buildings, and agriculture. Each chapter presents updates, insights, and policy proposals tailored for South Korea’s path to climate neutrality.
To address the climate crisis, the analysis emphasizes the need for a significant increase in wind and solar power capacity alongside integration of renewables into the grid, and swift adoption of emissions reduction strategies in industries. Technological shifts, particularly in industrial sectors, are highlighted as feasible and crucial. In the buildings sector, installing photovoltaic systems and implementing incentivizing regulations will be key. Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and establishing stringent greenhouse gas emission standards and a clear phase-out roadmap for conventional engines are crucial in the transport sector. Finally, agrivoltaic systems are proposed as a means to address energy needs while promoting rural development and food security.
These findings underscore the urgency and opportunity for Korea to lead in the energy transition, stressing the need for innovative policy frameworks and collaboration among key stakeholders. We hope this study will help Korean policymakers successfully navigate the challenges ahead.
< Contents >
Key insights
1. Introduction
2. Power sector
2-1. Updated K-map scenario in the power sector
2-2. Policy suggestions for power sector decarbonisation
3. Industry sector
3-1. Updated K-map scenario in the industry sector
3-2. Emission reduction potential derived from low-carbon product demand signals in industry sector
3-3. Policy suggestions for industry sector decarbonisation
4. Buildings sector
4-1. Recent trends and update of the K-map scenario in the buildings sector
4-2. Additional GHG emission reduction potential through a residential rooftop solar programme for Korea
4-3. Policy suggestions for buildings sector decarbonisation
5. Transport sector
5-1. Recent trends and update of the K-map scenario in the transport sector
5-2. Diffusion of electric vehicles in Korea
5-3. Policy suggestions for transport sector decarbonisation
6. Agriculture sector
6-1. Updated K-map scenario in the agriculture sector
6-2. Potential for agrivoltaics in Korea
6-3. Policy suggestions for supporting the development of agrivoltaics in Korea
→ Check the report on Agora Energiewende's webpage: 2050 Climate neutrality roadmap for Korea – K-map scenario 2.0 (agora-energiewende.org)