[What's Changing in the New Year] Up to 10 Billion Won Compensation per Electric Vehicle Fire... Stronger Heatwave and Earthquake Alerts

"How Things Will Change from 2026"
Biogas Production Target System to Expand to the Private Sector

Starting next year, the government will significantly overhaul policies in the environment, energy, and meteorological sectors. The aim is to accelerate responses to the climate crisis and the implementation of carbon neutrality, while also strengthening the national safety net to prepare for complex disasters such as heatwaves and earthquakes.

According to the "How Things Will Change from 2026" booklet published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on December 31, a total of about 20 environment, energy, and meteorology-related policies will be newly introduced or revised, with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Meteorological Administration taking the lead.

First, the government will introduce a financial support system to expand the supply of zero-emission vehicles starting next year, improving financial accessibility for the purchase of electric and hydrogen vehicles. To address safety concerns that have arisen during the spread of electric vehicles, a new system will be established to provide compensation of up to 10 billion won per accident in the event of an electric vehicle fire. This measure aims to alleviate consumer anxiety about electric vehicle fires and to strengthen the insurance and safety management system.

Policies to support the energy transition will also be reinforced. The biogas production target system, previously focused on the public sector, will be expanded to the private sector, leading to an increase in renewable energy production using food waste and livestock manure.

A new offshore wind power site planning system will be introduced in response to ongoing concerns about unregulated development in the offshore wind sector. The government will designate suitable sites in advance, taking into account environmental and social acceptance, and will require projects to be carried out within these designated areas. This is intended to reduce conflicts with local residents and improve project predictability.

Regulations to promote resource circulation and eco-friendly consumption will also be significantly strengthened. The mandatory use of recycled plastic materials will be implemented, requiring a certain percentage of recycled materials in production. Toys will be newly added to the list of products subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, thereby expanding recycling obligations.

In addition, the classification system for battery waste will be improved, and the obligation to collect and recycle electrical and electronic products will be extended to all products. These measures are proactive steps to manage the expected surge in battery and electronic waste.

There will also be noticeable changes to policies directly related to daily life. The label-free bottled water system will be implemented, allowing for the distribution of bottled water without labels. The goal is to reduce plastic usage by minimizing packaging materials.

Furthermore, indoor ultrafine dust standards for multi-use facilities such as libraries will be tightened, making air quality management in facilities used by children and the elderly more stringent. Criteria for environmental labeling, advertising, and certification cancellation will also be reinforced to enhance the credibility of eco-friendly labels.

There will also be changes in ecosystem protection and animal welfare. The breeding of bears on farms will be completely banned, resolving a long-standing social controversy. In addition, opportunities for private participation in nature restoration projects will be expanded, and restoration achievements will be officially recognized, which is expected to vitalize private-led ecological restoration projects.

The meteorological and disaster response system will also be greatly strengthened. The Korea Meteorological Administration will introduce new heatwave emergency alerts and tropical night advisories to reduce heatwave damage in advance. In the event of disaster-level heavy rainfall, a new stage of emergency disaster text alerts will be introduced to provide more precise warnings according to the situation. In the field of earthquakes, it will become possible to issue earthquake early warnings up to five seconds faster in areas near the epicenter, giving people more time to evacuate and respond.

Other measures to be introduced sequentially include the subdivision of special alert zones, integrated meteorological drought information services, meteorological services focused on renewable energy demonstration areas, and a new low-altitude aviation weather app (LAMIS-A).

Through these policy revisions, the government aims to strengthen the foundation for carbon neutrality implementation while proactively responding to disaster risks caused by the climate crisis.