Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the conservation of the environment and the sustainable development of the State and local communities by prescribing matters necessary for the promotion of and support for environmental education, ensuring the right of all citizens to learn about the environment and equipping them with the knowledge and capabilities to effectively prevent and solve various environmental problems such as climate change.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. "Environmental education" means education that enables citizens to understand the importance of the environment and to practice the conservation and improvement of the environment with knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, etc. required for the conservation and improvement of the environment;
2. "School environmental education" means environmental education provided to students in any of the following schools or corporations:
a. A kindergarten defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Early Childhood Education Act;
b. A school under Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;
c. A school under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;
d. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology under the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Act, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act under the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology under the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Act;
3. "Social environmental education" means environmental education other than school environmental education.
Article 3(Relationship to other statutes) #
Except as otherwise provided in other statutes, this Act shall apply to environmental education.
Article 4(Responsibilities) #
(1) The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policies for promoting environmental education and support activities related thereto in the private sector.
(2) The head of a school under subparagraph 2b of Article 2 shall endeavor to revitalize the operation of the environmental education curriculum to the extent appropriate to the educational conditions of the school.
(3) Business entities shall endeavor to provide necessary environmental education to improve environmental knowledge and skills related to work.
(4) All citizens shall actively participate in and cooperate with environmental education initiatives promoted by the State and local governments for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Article 5(Formulation of national environmental education plans) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall establish a national environmental education plan (hereinafter referred to as "national plan") every five years to comprehensively and systematically provide environmental education. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall consult with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies such as the Minister of Education and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries when establishing the national plan, and shall consult with the Environmental Education Committee pursuant to Article 8. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) A national plan shall include the following matters:
1. Objectives and direction for environmental education;
2. Current status of environmental education;
3. Establishment of the foundation for the promotion of environmental education;
4. Training and utilization of human resources specialized in environmental education;
5. Development and dissemination of environmental education materials;
6. Facilitation of private activities and international cooperation for environmental education;
7. Evaluation of the implementation of national plans and measures for financing;
8. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree to promote environmental education.
(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revise a national plan by applying procedures for the formulation of national plans mutatis mutandis, when it is deemed necessary to revise such plan; provided, deliberations by the Environmental Education Promotion Committee under Article 8 may be omitted where insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are revised. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(5) The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall formulate a plan for education in the field of marine environment and may request the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to incorporate it into a national plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 6(Formulation of regional environmental education plans) #
(1) The Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") and the head of a large city with a population of at least 500,000, excluding the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, and a Special Self-Governing City under Article 198(1) of the Local Autonomy Act (hereafter referred to as "large city") shall formulate every 5 years a regional environmental education plan (hereafter referred to as "regional plan") for the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, a Do, or a Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/ Do") and for a large city , in consideration of the details of the national plan and the conditions of the relevant region, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>
(2) When a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a large city formulates or revises a regional plan, he or she shall submit the details thereof to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>
[Title Amended on Mar. 25, 2025]
Article 7(Request for cooperation for promotion of national plans and regional plans) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a large city may notify the head of a relevant agency of a national plan or regional plan and request the head to reflect such plan in the business affairs under his or her jurisdiction. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (1), the head of a relevant agency shall submit the performance results of reflecting a national plan or regional plan in the business affairs under his or her jurisdiction to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a large city. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall comprehensively evaluate the performance results under paragraph (2) and reflect the results of such evaluation in formulating the subsequent national plan. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), matters necessary for the promotion of a national plan and regional plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>
[Title Amended on Mar. 25, 2025]
Article 8(Establishment and operation of Environmental Education Committee) #
(1) The Environmental Education Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to deliberate on the following matters related to environmental education: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Formulation of national plans;
2. Evaluation of the previous national plan;
3. Matters concerning promoting and supporting environmental education;
4. Matters concerning projects to train and support specialized human resources;
5. Designation of excellent schools in environmental education under Article 11;
6. Designation of excellent environmental education programs under Article 21;
7. Designation of environmental education cities under Article 27;
8. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) The Committee shall be comprised of up to 20 members, including the chairperson.
(3) The chairpersons of the Committee shall be both the Vice Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and a civilian member elected by and from among the members of the Committee; and its members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, from among public officials belonging to the relevant central administrative agencies and persons with extensive knowledge of and experience in environmental education. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(4) The Committee may establish subcommittees to efficiently perform the business affairs prescribed in each subparagraph of paragraph (1). In such cases, the deliberations of subcommittees shall be deemed deliberations of the Committee.
(5) Matters necessary for the composition, operation, etc. of the Committee and subcommittees shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 9(Request for cooperation to public institutions) #
(1) The head of a central administrative agency and the head of a local government may request cooperation from the heads of other central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of public institutions designated under Articles 4 through 6 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions (hereinafter referred to as "heads of public institutions") when necessary to formulate and implement national plans or regional plans. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>
(2) A person in receipt of a request for cooperation under paragraph (1) shall comply with such request, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
Article 10(Support for environmental education in schools) #
(1) After consultation with the Minister of Education, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may provide schools under subparagraph 2a and b of Article 2 and child care centers under the Child Care Act (hereinafter referred to as "child care centers") with the following support: <Amended on Jun. 10, 2022; Dec. 26, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Matters concerning school environmental education in kindergartens under subparagraph 2a of Article 2;
1-2. Matters concerning environmental education in child care centers;
2. Matters concerning the promotion of school environmental education through environment-related subjects or cross-curricular education in schools pursuant to subparagraph 2b of Article 2;
3. Matters concerning development and dissemination of school environmental education materials;
4. Matters concerning promotion of environmental experience and conservation activities;
5. Other matters necessary for the promotion of school environmental education.
(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the Minister of Education to ensure that the basic details of environmental education can be reflected in the educational activities of schools and child care centers referred to in paragraph (1)1, 1-2, and 2. In such cases, the Minister of Education or the Minister of Health and Welfare in receipt of a request shall endeavor to reflect the request. <Amended on Jun. 10, 2022; Dec. 26, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, in consultation with the Minister of Education or the Minister of Science and ICT, may make the following recommendations to schools and corporations under subparagraph 2c and d of Article 2 for the promotion of school environmental education: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Research to develop policies and teaching materials related to school environmental education;
2. Research necessary for the sustainable development of the State and dissemination of such results;
3. Other matters necessary for promoting school environmental education.
(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the provision of marine environmental education supported by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.
[Title Amended on Jun. 10, 2022]
Article 10-2(Provision of school environmental education) #
The heads of elementary schools and middle schools under Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act shall provide school environmental education for students.
[This Article Added on Jun. 10, 2022]
Article 11(Designation of excellent schools in environmental education) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate schools under subparagraph 2b of Article 2 that provide exemplary school environmental education, such as organizing environmental education in the regular curriculum or running creative environmental education programs as excellent schools in environmental education after deliberation by the Committee. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) The head of a school intending to be designated under paragraph (1) shall apply to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) Upon designating excellent schools in environmental education under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall publicly announce such designation by posting a notice on the website of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(4) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may provide administrative and financial support necessary for the operation of school environmental education to the excellent schools in environmental education designated pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(5) Matters necessary for standards, procedures, methods, period of validity, etc. of designation of excellent schools in environmental education under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 12(Support for teachers) #
In order to enhance expertise in environmental education, the State and local governments may provide training opportunities regarding environmental education to the following persons who work in schools under subparagraph 2a and b of Article 2 or at child care centers under the Child Care Act or support their research activities:
1. Principals and child care teachers of child care centers under Article 21(1) and (2) of the Child Care Act;
2. Teachers under Article 20(1) of the Early Childhood Education Act;
3. Teachers under Article 19(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Article 13(Promotion of social environmental education) #
The State and local governments shall implement the following policies in an effort to promote social environmental education:
1. Development and dissemination of social environmental education programs;
2. Social environmental education in State agencies, military units, enterprises, and social and religious organizations;
3. Training and utilization of human resources specialized in social environmental education;
4. Support for social environmental education provided by social environmental education institutions pursuant to Article 15(1);
5. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree for the promotion of social environmental education.
Article 14(Provision of social environmental education) #
(1) The heads of central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of public institutions may provide social environmental education to their public officials and employees.
(2) Methods, hours, etc. of social environmental education and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may develop and disseminate educational materials and programs for environmental education and provide administrative and financial support, such as dispatching specialists in environmental education, so as to efficiently provide and promote social environmental education. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 15(Designation of social environmental education institutions) #
(1) A Mayor/Do Governor may designate a corporation or organization satisfying the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, the main purpose of which is to provide environmental education, as a social environmental education institution.
(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment and a Mayor/Do Governor may provide administrative and financial support to social environmental education institutions which provide exemplary environmental education, such as developing and operating creative education programs or operating excellent educational facilities, among social environmental education institutions designated pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) Where a social environmental education institution falls under any of the following cases, a Mayor/Do Governor may revoke the designation thereof; provided, where in cases falling under subparagraph 1, he or she must revoke such designation:
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it ceases to satisfy the requirements for designation under paragraph (1);
(4) Matters necessary for the procedures and methods for designating and revoking the designation of social and environmental education institutions shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 16(Environmental educators) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall grant the qualification of an environmental educator to a person who has completed the environmental educator training course provided by an environmental educator training institution pursuant to Article 19 and who meets the qualifications prescribed by Presidential Decree, and shall issue an environmental educator certificate to the person who has been granted the qualification. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) None of the following persons shall be an environmental educator:
1. A person under adult guardianship;
2. A person who has committed any of the following crimes and two years have not passed since a sentence of imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment, since the completion of the sentence or a determination that the sentence will not be imposed:
a. Crimes under the Wetlands Conservation Act, the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, the Natural Parks Act, the Natural Environment Conservation Act, and other environment-related statutes prescribed by Presidential Decree;
b. Crimes falling under Articles 297, 297-2, 298 through 301, 301-2, 302, 303, 305, 305-2 or 339 of the Criminal Act;
c. Crimes falling under Articles 3 through 11 of the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes or Article 15 of that Act (limited to an attempted crime falling under Articles 3 through 9 of that Act);
d. Crimes falling under Articles 7, 8, 8-2, 9, and 10 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses;
e. Crimes under items a through d, which are subject to aggravated punishment pursuant to other statutes;
3. Any person who is under the suspended execution of sentence of imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment sentenced to him or her for committing a crime falling under any item of subparagraph 2.
(3) An environmental educator shall plan, conduct, analyze, and evaluate environmental education programs and shall conduct environmental education.
(4) The State or each local government may utilize social environmental educators to provide systemic environmental education to citizens.
(5) No person other than environmental educators under this Act shall use the title of an environmental educator.
Article 17(Revocation of qualification of environmental educators) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may revoke the qualification of an environmental educator or suspend the qualification for a period of not more than three years if the environmental educator falls under any of the following cases; provided, if he or she falls under subparagraph 1 or 3, his or her qualification shall be revoked: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Where he or she has obtained his or her qualification by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where he or she falls under any subparagraph of Article 16(2);
3. Where he or she lends a certificate of qualification to another person, in violation of Article 16(6);
4. Where he or she causes significant hindrance to environmental education by intention or gross negligence.
(2) The standard for the revocation or suspension of the qualification of an environmental educator under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, in consideration of the reason for the disposition and the degree of violation. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 18(Continuing training for environmental educators) #
(1) Environmental educators who perform their work at institutions prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as schools and corporations under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 and child care centers, and social environmental educations institutions under Article 15(1), shall receive regular continuing training to improve the quality of environmental education. <Amended on Jun. 10, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>
(2) The object, period of continuing training pursuant to paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 19(Designation of training institutions for environmental educators) #
The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate environmental education institutions, including public educational facilities and social environmental education institutions under Article 15(1), as training institutions for environmental educators, as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, in the field of marine environment, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may designate the institutions. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 20(Revocation of designation of training institutions for environmental educators) #
(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may revoke the designation of a training institution for environmental educators if it falls under any of the following cases; provided, the Minister shall revoke the designation in cases falling under subparagraphs 1 and 2: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it ceases to satisfy the requirement under Article 19;
3. Where it is deemed that the training program for training environmental educators is inadequately operated and the work cannot be properly performed.
(2) Matters necessary for the procedures and methods for revoking the designation of a training institution for environmental educators shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>