[Initial Perspective] Korea Shows No Willingness to Escape 'Climate Villain' Label

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] International civic organizations such as Germanwatch, an independent European evaluation institute, and the New Climate Institute, a climate research organization, evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and reduction targets, the proportion of renewable energy generation, energy consumption, and national climate policies to announce the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) annually. In this year's results announced last month, South Korea ranked 57th among 60 countries that emit 92% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including the European Union. Only Iran, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia ranked lower than South Korea. In 2021, South Korea was 60th out of 61 countries, and in 2020, 53rd out of 58 countries.

Notably, this evaluation reflected the '2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)' submitted by President Moon Jae-in at last year's 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), but South Korea still could not escape the label of a 'climate villain.'

South Korea received a 'very poor' rating in greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, and energy consumption categories, and a 'poor' rating in climate policy. The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to 2018 by 2030 was a positive factor, but the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's reduction of the renewable energy ratio from 30% to 21.5% by 2030 through the '10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand' draft in August was a negative factor.

At COP27, which concluded on the 20th of last month in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, member countries agreed to establish a 'loss and damage' fund. Developing countries and nations directly exposed to climate change risks argued that developed countries should pay compensation for damages caused by climate change, such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, which they cannot prevent on their own. Developed countries partially accepted this claim.

Although there was agreement to establish an interim committee to discuss future funding sources and management methods, concrete plans for funding were postponed to COP28, scheduled for November next year. South Korea will not bear financial responsibility for the loss and damage fund because it was a developing country, not a developed country, at the time of the 1992 UN Climate Convention.

However, since this standard is based on 30 years ago, there are strong demands for emerging countries like China, the world's largest carbon emitter, and Saudi Arabia to also participate in financial contributions. During the interim committee discussions, there is a possibility that countries such as China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia could be included among the financial contributors.

Aside from loss and damage compensation, South Korea must also contribute financially to the $100 billion fund annually established at COP15 held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. South Korea announced that, while participating as a member of developed countries, it would provide a total of 3.6 billion KRW over three years starting next year, with 1.2 billion KRW annually.

An activist working with international environmental organizations expressed regret, saying, "I was very ashamed of the announcement that South Korea would provide the equivalent of the price of one apartment in Seoul per year for developing countries," and added, "South Korea still has many shortcomings to stand proudly as a member of the international community."

Looking at the government's actions so far, South Korea does not seem willing to shed the label of a climate villain in responding to the climate crisis. It is unreasonable to expect developed country treatment while ignoring global issues.

At COP24 in December 2018, Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old climate activist from Sweden at the time, shouted at political leaders, "You say you love your children, yet you are stealing their future right in front of their eyes." The current South Korean government and politicians should take this admonition to heart.