The climate crisis and the AI revolution represent the most significant changes humanity faces today. One is a matter of survival, while the other pertains to technology. However, these two shifts are increasingly interconnected. AI is becoming the most powerful technology to address the climate crisis, while the climate crisis is emerging as a new growth driver for the AI industry.
Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, defines this era of change as the 'Climate, Energy, and Environment AI Transition (AX).' He envisions using AI to build a renewable energy-based power grid while simultaneously promoting carbon neutrality, responding to climate disasters, and innovating the environmental industry.
His strategy aims to accelerate the transition to a green civilization (GX) through AI, positioning South Korea as a leader in both AI and green industries.
Can South Korea transform the climate crisis into a new growth opportunity through AI?
Kim views AI not merely as a digital technology but as a core infrastructure for responding to the climate crisis. He stated, "We are currently facing a global challenge of climate crisis and a technological inflection point with AI," and outlined a direction to strategically integrate AI across climate, energy, and environmental policies.
He emphasized that the Ministry is pursuing a comprehensive AI transition (AX) in line with the government's strategy to become one of the top three AI nations.
AI is no longer just a tool for environmental policy; it has become a key technology that determines national competitiveness.
In the AI era, power must also be intelligent.
Minister Kim identified the expansion of renewable energy and the establishment of an AI-based intelligent power grid as key tasks. AI can predict solar and wind energy generation and analyze power demand in real-time to optimize supply.
As the share of renewable energy increases, AI-based power management becomes even more critical. He stated that he would promote an energy transition centered on renewable energy to ensure energy security, carbon neutrality, and competitiveness in advanced industries.
The core of the energy revolution is not the power plants but the power grid operated by AI.
Kim is also pursuing a strategy to develop the environmental industry into an AI industry. The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment is focusing on fostering AI-based products and services in five areas: carbon neutrality, water management, resource recycling, environmental safety, and weather and climate, through the 'Rapid Commercialization Support Project for AI Application Products.'
From 2026 to 2027, the government plans to make significant investments in the development of AI application products, and the Ministry is actively supporting the commercialization of AI technologies in the environmental sector.
AI can be a technology that creates new industries rather than just a tool for environmental regulation.
Climate change is exacerbating natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and wildfires.
Minister Kim announced plans to use AI-based simulations and data analysis to predict climate disasters more accurately and proactively protect public safety. He envisions transitioning environmental management from a human-centered approach to an AI-based intelligent system to reduce blind spots and enhance policy accuracy.
AI is not just a technology for responding to disasters; it is a technology that minimizes damage in advance.
Public data serves as the fuel for AI innovation.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment is hosting an AX idea competition with public institutions to discover AI services and policy ideas utilizing public data in areas such as power, water resources, weather, and the environment.
This initiative goes beyond a simple contest; it aims to open public data and build an ecosystem that connects AI startups and policy innovation.
In the AI era, public data is a new asset that builds national competitiveness.
Green industries and AI will grow together.
Minister Kim views the climate crisis not as a cost but as an opportunity for industrial innovation.
He believes that the combination of AI, renewable energy, climate technology, and a circular economy can create new markets and jobs.
Carbon neutrality is evolving into a national growth strategy that connects environmental policy with the AI industry and advanced manufacturing.
The green transition can be achieved more quickly and efficiently through AI.
Minister Kim's AI strategy connects climate, energy, and the environment.
The AI-based power grid, carbon neutrality, environmental industry innovation, and climate disaster response all aim toward a single goal: transforming South Korea into a green nation powered by AI.
The climate crisis is an unavoidable reality.
However, AI can become the technology that transforms that crisis into a new growth driver.
If South Korea leads in both AI and green transition, it has the potential to become a nation that sets the global standard for green industries, surpassing carbon neutrality.
Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, has a background as a lawmaker and policy expert, leading climate and energy policies. Since taking office, he has been directly overseeing the Ministry's AI transition (AX), focusing on building an AI-based intelligent power grid, predicting climate disasters, commercializing AI application products in the environmental industry, and fostering AI innovation based on public data.
His vision is to combine AI and green transition to position South Korea as a leader in both climate crisis response and green industry.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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