South Korea launches nationwide carbon-neutral action campaign, forms preparatory committee

The government is moving to step up a nationwide public action campaign aimed at carbon neutrality and a major shift in energy use.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it will hold a launch ceremony Monday afternoon at Korea House in Jung-gu, Seoul, for the “Republic of Korea Climate Action Preparatory Committee for Carbon Neutrality and the Energy Transition.”
 
At the event, the committee will declare this year the “first year of Republic of Korea climate action” and discuss ways to build and expand everyday public participation to respond to the climate crisis and advance the energy transition.
 
About 100 people from across society — including religious groups, industry, finance, education and civil society — are expected to attend, marking what organizers described as a new start for the initiative.
 
The committee said it plans to systematically spread climate actions rooted in daily life and local communities so that small steps can contribute to carbon neutrality, while building broader public consensus through voluntary private-sector participation.
 
Participants will issue a climate action declaration under the theme “From the declaration of 100 people to the practice of 10 million citizens.” Free remarks will follow, covering topics such as climate action guidelines and ways to broaden participation nationwide, environmental, social and transparent governance (ESG) cases, and policy proposals.
 
Starting Monday, the committee plans promotional activities, including public participation events, through the “2026 Environment Day and Climate Action Launch Event” on June 5. The ministry said it will reflect the committee’s input in a future national climate action plan and build an operating framework based on voluntary participation to link the “declaration of 100 people” to “the practice of 10 million citizens.”
 
Minister Kim Seong-hwan said, “Now is the time for everyone to act together with a sense of urgency.” He added that he hopes the preparatory committee will serve as a hub for nationwide climate action by “spreading declarations into practice, and practice into culture.”