FRAMEWORK ACT ON CARBON NEUTRALITY AND GREEN GROWTH FOR COPING WITH CLIMATE CRISIS

영문법령 불러오는 중…

FRAMEWORK ACT ON CARBON NEUTRALITY AND GREEN GROWTH FOR COPING WITH CLIMATE CRISIS — 법갈피

Article 3(Basic principles) #

The transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth shall be promoted based on the following basic principles:

1. It shall be based on the principle of intergenerational equality that the current generation is responsible for ensuring the survival of future generations and the principle of sustainable development;

2. It shall promote the transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth as a comprehensive crisis response strategy, based on rational recognition of the severity of global climate crisis and changes in the international economic environment corresponding thereto;

3. It shall formulate policies to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate crisis, based on the scientific prediction and analysis of climate change and in comprehensive consideration of every field and sector that affect or are affected by climate crisis;

4. It shall promote climate justice to ensure proportionate distribution of the responsibility for and benefits from climate crisis throughout the society, with the aim of overcoming the climate crisis and social disparity at once, thereby realizing a just transition to protect the vulnerable social groups, sectors, and regions susceptible to damage that may occur in the course of transition to a carbon neutral society;

5. It shall endeavor to realize the polluter pays principle by reorganizing the taxation, financial systems, etc. to ensure that the economic costs of environmental pollution or greenhouse gas emission are reasonably reflected in the market price of goods or services;

6. It shall overcome climate crisis through transition to a carbon neutral society, and at the same time, turn it into an opportunity to expand national growth engines, strengthen national competitiveness in the international arena, and create jobs, by boosting investment in and support for green technology and green industries with high growth potential and competitiveness;

7. It shall ensure every citizen’s democratic participation in the process of transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth;

8. It shall aggressively participate in the efforts of the international community to hold the rise in the global average temperature to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, not undermine the environment and social justice of developing countries, and strengthen cooperation for support for climate crisis response, based on the recognition that the climate crisis is a common challenge for humanity.

Article 4(Responsibilities of the State and local governments) #

(1) The State and local governments shall endeavor to ensure that the basic principles prescribed in Article 3 are reflected in all sectors, including economy, society, education, and culture, and shall create various conditions, such as improvement of relevant statutes or regulations, increase of financial investment, and establishment of related facilities and systems.

(2) The State and local governments shall comprehensively consider the impacts on climate crisis, harmonious development of economy and environment, etc. in the process of formulating various plans and implementing projects.

(3) A local government shall take into consideration local characteristics, conditions, etc. of the local government when it formulates and implements measures for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

(4) The State and local governments shall evaluate the implementation results through a regular inspection of policies for coping with climate change, and analyze international negotiation trends and policies of major countries and local governments to prepare thorough measures.

(5) The State and local governments shall devise measures necessary to help public institutions under Article 4 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions (hereinafter referred to as "public institution"), business entities, and citizens to efficiently reduce greenhouse gases and to strengthen the ability to adapt to climate crisis.

(6) The State and local governments shall protect the safety and property of citizens from climate crisis in accordance with the principles of climate justice and just transition.

(7) The State and local governments shall promote scientific research, impact forecast, etc. on climate change, provide citizens and business entities with relevant information transparently, and guarantee them an opportunity to actively participate and cooperate in the decision-making process.

(8) The State and local governments shall actively participate in international efforts to implement the transition to a carbon neutral society and promote green growth, and fully promote international cooperation for coping with climate crisis, such as providing support in terms of policy, technology, and finance to developing countries.

(9) The State and local governments shall endeavor to foster professional human resources necessary for coping with climate crisis, such as the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

Article 7(National vision and strategy) #

(1) The Government shall establish a national vision for transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of harmonious development of economy and environment, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

(2) In order to achieve the national vision under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "national vision"), the Government shall formulate a national strategy for carbon neutrality and green growth (hereinafter referred to as "national strategy"), including the following matters:

1. Matters regarding the policy objectives, including the national vision;

2. Sectoral strategies and key tasks to achieve the national vision;

3. Matters regarding linkage with related policies, such as policies on the environment, energy, national land, and ocean;

4. Other matters deemed necessary for the transition to a carbon neutral society, such as financing, taxation, finance, training of human resources, education, and public relations activities.

(3) If the Government intends to formulate or modify a national strategy, it shall endeavor to hear opinions of relevant experts, local governments, interested parties, etc. through public hearings, etc. and reflect such opinions in the strategy-setting.

(4) If the Government formulates or modifies the national strategy, it shall submit it to the State Council for deliberation, after going through deliberation by the Presidential Commission on Climate Crisis Response under Article 15(1) (hereafter in this Chapter and Chapter III referred to as "PCCCR"); provided, deliberation by PCCCR and the State Council may be omitted where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are modified. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

(5) The Government shall re-examine the national strategy every five years in consideration of technical conditions and prospects, social conditions, etc. and modify it if necessary.

(6) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall support business affairs regarding the establishment and modification of national strategies and may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, the heads of local governments, and the heads of public institutions to submit necessary materials for the efficient performance of the business affairs. In such cases, a person in receipt of the request shall comply therewith, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Added on Oct. 22, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Matters necessary for the details of the national strategy under paragraphs (2) through (6), procedures for formulating and modifying the national strategy, etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

Article 8(National mid- and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets) #

(1) The Government shall set a national medium- and long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction target (hereinafter referred to as "mid-to long-term reduction target") to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by a ratio prescribed by Presidential Decree to the extent of not less than 35 percent from the 2018 levels by 2030.

(2) The Government shall set a greenhouse gas emission reduction target for each sector, including industries, buildings, transportation, power generation, and wastes (hereinafter referred to as "sectoral reduction target"), to achieve the mid- to long-term reduction targets.

(3) The Government shall set annual greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the entire nation and each sector (hereinafter referred to as "annual reduction target") to achieve the mid- to long-term reduction targets and the sectoral reduction targets.

(4) The Government shall re-examine mid- to long-term reduction targets, sectoral reduction targets, and annual reduction targets (hereinafter referred to as "mid- to long-term reduction target, etc.") every five years in consideration of domestic and international conditions, such as the Paris Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement"), and shall modify or reset such targets in accordance with the principle of progression under Article 4 of the Agreement, if necessary; provided, if it is necessary due to changes, etc. in social and technical conditions, the targets may be modified or reset before five years elapse.

(5) When the Government sets or modifies the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc., it shall take into account the following matters:

1. Med- and long-term outlook for the national greenhouse gas emission and absorption;

2. National visions and strategies;

3. Attainability of the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc.;

4. Sectoral contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and reductions;

5. Impacts on national energy policies;

6. Impacts on the domestic industry, especially on the industry type and region highly dependent on fossil fuels;

7. Impacts on the national finance;

8. Prospect of related technologies for reducing greenhouse gases, etc.;

9. Trend of the international community in coping with climate crisis.

(6) If the Government sets or modifies the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc., it shall endeavor to hear the opinions of relevant experts, interested parties, etc. and reflect their opinions, through the holding of public hearings, etc.

(7) Matters necessary for setting, modification, etc. of the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc. under paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[Nonconformity with the Constitution, 2020Hun-Ma389, 2021Hun-Ma1264, 2022 Hun-Ma854, 2023Hun-Ma846 (consolidation), Aug. 29, 2024. Article 8 (1) of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis (as enacted by Act No. 18469 on Sep. 24, 2021) is not in conformity with the Constitution. Such provisions shall continue to apply until amended by the deadline of February 28, 2026.]

Article 9(Inspection of current status of implementation) #

(1) The chairperson of PCCCR (hereinafter referred to as the "chairperson") shall inspect the current status of implementation of the annual reduction targets each year to achieve the mid- to long-term reduction targets and sectoral reduction targets, and shall prepare and disclose a report on the inspection results by the end of September of the following year. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

(2) A report on the results under paragraph (1) shall include whether the net greenhouse gas emissions meet the annual reduction targets, cases of underperformance identified as a result of the inspection under paragraph (1), matters requiring improvement therefor, and other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

(3) If the inspection under paragraph (1) reveals that greenhouse gas net emissions fail to meet the annual reduction targets, the head of the competent administrative agency for the relevant sector shall prepare a greenhouse gas reduction plan and submit it to PCCCR within 60 days from the date disclosure of the results report. In such cases, the greenhouse gas reduction plan shall include additional reduction measures to address the shortfall in achieving the targets. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

(4) PCCCR shall deliberate on the greenhouse gas reduction plan under paragraph (3) and deems the plan to be inadequate, it shall request the head of the competent administrative agency for the relevant sector to supplement the plan. <Added on Nov. 11, 2025>

(5) If there are cases of underperformance or matters requiring improvement under paragraph (2), the head of a central administrative agency, the head of a local government, and the head of a public institution shall reflect such cases or measures in the policies, etc. of the relevant institution; and if such heads fail to do so, they shall notify PCCCR of the reasons therefor. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

(6) If the head of a central administrative agency, the head of a local government, or the head of a public institution fails, without good cause, to prepare and submit a greenhouse gas reduction plan under paragraph (3) or to supplement the plan under paragraph (4), PCCCR shall publish the details thereof and other relevant matters. <Added on Nov. 11, 2025>

(7) Matters necessary for the method of inspecting the implementation status and the procedures for disclosing the results report under paragraph (1), the method of submitting a greenhouse gas reduction plan under paragraph (3), the notification of reasons for failure to reflect relevant matters under paragraph (5), and publication under paragraph (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Nov. 11, 2025>

Article 10(Formulation and implementation of national framework plan for carbon neutrality and green growth) #

(1) The Government shall formulate and implement a 20-year national framework plan for carbon neutrality and green growth (hereinafter referred to as "national framework plan") every five years to achieve the national vision and the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc. in line with the basic principles under Article 3.

(2) A national framework plan shall include the following matters:

1. Matters regarding the national vision and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets;

2. Domestic and international trends and future prospects of climate change and changes in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere;

3. Current status of and outlook for the greenhouse gas emission and absorption;

4. Sectoral and annual measures to attain the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc.;

5. Matters regarding adaptive measures, including monitoring and prediction of climate change, assessment of impacts of and vulnerability to climate change, and prevention of disasters;

6. Matters regarding just transition;

7. Matters regarding policy measures for green growth, including fostering of green technology and green industries, and revitalization of green finance;

8. Matters regarding international negotiation and cooperation related to coping with climate crisis;

9. Matters regarding cooperation between the State and local governments in coping with climate crisis;

10. The scale of and procurement methods of financial resources required for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth;

11. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

(3) Where the Government intends to formulate or modify a national framework plan, it shall endeavor to gather and reflect opinions from citizens, relevant experts, interested parties, etc. through public hearings or other means. <Added on Oct. 22, 2024>

(4) Where a national framework plan is formulated or modified, it shall be deliberated by the State Council, following deliberation by PCCCR; provided, deliberation by PCCCR or the State Council may be omitted where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are modified. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies to submit necessary materials to support of business affairs regarding the formulation, implementation, etc. of a national framework plan and to ensure the efficient performance of such affairs. In such cases, the heads of relevant central administrative agencies shall cooperate in submitting such materials, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Matters necessary for the methods, procedures, etc. for formulating and modifying the national framework plan under paragraphs (1) through (4) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

Article 11(Formulation of City/Do plans) #

(1) The Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, and a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") shall formulate and implement a 10-year City/Do master plan for carbon neutrality and green growth (hereinafter referred to as "City/Do plan") every five years, taking into account the national framework plan and the regional characteristics of the region under jurisdiction.

(2) A City/Do plan shall include each of the following matters:

1. Regional current status of and outlook for the greenhouse gas emission and absorption;

2. Regional mid- and long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and sectoral and annual implementation measures;

3. Matters regarding regional adaptive measures including monitoring and prediction of climate change, assessment of impacts of and vulnerability to climate change, and prevention of disasters;

4. Impacts of climate crisis on public property defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act and countermeasures therefor;

5. Matters regarding international cooperation in each region to cope with climate crisis;

6. Matters regarding cooperation among local governments to cope with climate crisis;

7. Matters regarding education and public relations for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth;

8. Matters regarding promotion of green growth, including the fostering of green technology and green industries;

9. Other matters that the Mayor/Do Governor deems necessary for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

(3) Where a Mayor/Do Governor intends to formulate or modify a national framework plan, he or she shall endeavor to gather and reflect opinions from local residents, relevant experts, interested parties, etc. through public hearings or other means. <Added on Oct. 22, 2024>

(4) Where a Mayor/Do Governor intends to formulate or modify a City/Do plan, he or she shall submit it for deliberation to the relevant local committee on climate crisis response established under Article 22(1) (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as "local committee"); provided, the deliberation may be omitted where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are modified. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024; Nov. 11, 2025>

(5) Where a City/Do plan is formulated or modified, a Mayor/Do Governor shall submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, and the Minister shall compile the submitted City/Do plans and report them to PCCCR. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The Government may devise support measures necessary to facilitate the implementation of a City/Do plan. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

(7) Matters necessary for the formulation, implementation, and modification of City/Do plans, submission and reporting thereof, devising of support measures, etc. under paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

Article 15(Establishment of Presidential Commission on Climate Crisis Response) #

(1) A Presidential Commission on Climate Crisis Response (hereinafter referred to as “PCCCR”) shall be established under the jurisdiction of the President to deliberate and resolve on the Government’s key policies, plans, and implementation thereof for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

(2) PCCCR shall be comprised of at least 50 but not exceeding 100 members, including two chairpersons.

(3) The Prime Minister shall serve as one of the chairpersons of the Committee, and the other shall be appointed by the President from among the committee members prescribed in paragraph (4)2.

(4) The members of PCCCR shall be each of the following persons: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Science and ICT, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Minister of Planning and Budget, the Minister of the Office for Government Coordination, and other public officials prescribed by Presidential Decree;

2. Persons commissioned by the President from among those who have extensive knowledge of and experience in the fields of climate science, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, prevention of and adaptation to climate change, energy and resources, green technology and green industry, just transition, etc.

(5) When commissioning members of the Commission pursuant to paragraph (4)2, the President shall receive recommendations for candidates from, and hear the opinion of, various social groups including children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, workers, farmers and fishers, small and medium entrepreneurs, and civic groups, to ensure that the representativeness of each social group is reflected. <Amended on Mar. 28, 2023; Nov. 11, 2025>

(6) PCCCR shall have one administrative secretary to deal with administrative affairs, and the Minister of the Office for Government Coordination shall serve as the administrative secretary.

(7) When a chairperson is unable to perform his or her duties due to any unavoidable reason, a committee member designated in advance by a chairperson who is the Prime Minister shall act on his or her behalf.

(8) The committee members referred to in paragraph (4)2 shall hold office for a term of two years, and may be appointed consecutively for only one further term.

(9) Matters necessary for the composition, operation, etc. of PCCCR under paragraphs (1) through (8) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

[Title Amended on Nov. 11, 2025]

[Enforcement Date: Jan. 2, 2026]

Article 23(Climate change impact assessment) #

(1) Where the head of the relevant administrative agency or a business entity who formulates or implements a plan for a project subject to environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act conducts a strategic environmental impact assessment or an environmental impact assessment with regard to a plan or development project prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as a project emitting a massive amount of greenhouse gases, which is subject to a strategic environmental impact assessment or environmental impact assessment under Articles 9 and 22 of that Act, he or she shall include an analysis and assessment on the impacts the policies or development projects under his or her jurisdiction may have on climate change or the impacts the climate change may have on the policies or development projects (hereinafter referred to as "climate change impact assessment"), in the strategic environmental impact assessment or environmental impact assessment.

(2) Where the head of the relevant administrative agency or a business entity requests the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to have consultation on a statement of a strategic environmental impact assessment or an environmental impact assessment report under Articles 16 and 27 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act with regard to the plans or development projects for which a climate change impact assessment is conducted pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she shall also request the consultation on the review of climate impact assessment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Upon receipt of a request for consultation under paragraph (2), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall review the results of climate impact assessment and may take measures, such as collecting necessary information or requesting such information from a business entity. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Matters necessary for the methods of conducting a climate change impact assessment under paragraph (1), the methods of review under paragraph (3), etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 26(Greenhouse gas target control in public sector) #

(1) In order to achieve the national vision and the mid- to long-term reduction targets, the Government may require institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, City/Do offices of education, and public institutions (hereafter in this Article referred to as "public institutions, etc."), to set their own greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, and may provide guidance and supervision on the progress thereof.

(2) Public institutions, etc. shall comply with the targets set under paragraph (1) and submit annual performance records to the Government and disclose them.

(3) The Government shall prepare a registry of performance records submitted under paragraph (2) and manage it in a systematic manner.

(4) If the performance records of public institutions, etc. fall short of the targets under paragraph (1), the Government may order the public institutions, etc. to make improvements necessary for accomplishing the targets. In such cases, the public institutions, etc. shall set up a plan for improvement in compliance with the improvement order and implement the plan faithfully.

(5) The National Assembly, the Court, the Constitutional Court, and the election commissions (hereafter in this Article referred to as "constitutional institutions, etc.") shall voluntarily set and implement their respective greenhouse gas emission reduction targets each year, and shall notify the Government of their performance results and disclose them. In such cases, the Government shall record the performance results notified in a registry and manage it in a systematic manner.

(6) If it is necessary to enable public institutions, etc. to achieve the targets set under paragraph (1) and to implement the improvement plan under paragraph (4) smoothly, the Government may provide financial, taxation, management, and technical support, conduct fact-finding surveys and diagnosis, provide materials and information, and establish a related information system, etc., and if it is necessary to enable the constitutional institutions, etc. to voluntarily set and implement the targets under paragraph (5), the Government may provide financial and technical support, materials and information, etc.

(7) Matters necessary for setting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under paragraph (1), fulfilling the targets and submitting and disclosing performance records thereof under paragraph (2), preparing and managing a registry under paragraph (3), issuing and implementing improvement orders under paragraph (4), setting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, notifying and disclosing performance results, and preparing and managing a registry under paragraph (5), etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 27(Greenhouse gas target control of controlled emitter) #

(1) The Government shall designate an entity that emits greenhouse gases in excess of the standard amount prescribed by Presidential Decree (hereinafter referred to as "controlled emitter"), and set and control a greenhouse gas reduction target to be attained within a commitment period prescribed by Presidential Decree, in consultation with the controlled emitter.

(2) In order to designate a controlled emitter, the Government may request a controlled emitter and an entity expected to be a controlled emitter (hereafter in this Article referred to as "preliminary controlled emitter") to submit materials for calculating the volume of greenhouse gas emissions for the recent three years. In such cases, a controlled emitter or a preliminary controlled emitter in receipt of a request for providing materials shall comply with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

(3) A controlled emitter shall comply with the targets under paragraph (1), and submit a detailed statement of greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as "statement") to the Government after it has been verified by an external institution specialized in verification under Article 24-2 (1) of the Act on the Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse-Gas Emission Permits (hereinafter referred to as "verification institution"). In such cases, if the Government finds, in a review of the statement submitted, any matters requiring a revision or supplementation, the Government may request the controlled emitter to revise or supplement it, and the controlled emitter shall comply with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

(4) The Government shall prepare a registry based on the statements submitted under paragraph (3) and manage it systematically, and may disclose the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from each controlled emitter, whether it has achieved its targets, etc. In such cases, a controlled emitter may request non-disclosure, if it has any special reason to believe that such disclosure may seriously infringe on its rights or trade secrets.

(5) Upon receiving a request for non-disclosure of information from a controlled emitter under the latter part of paragraph (4), the Government shall organize an examination committee to decide on whether to disclose such information, and shall notify the controlled emitter of the results within 30 days from receipt of the request for non-disclosure.

(6) Where the performance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a controlled emitter falls short of the targets set under paragraph (1), the Government may issue an order for improvement for a specified period not exceeding one year. In such cases, the controlled emitter shall prepare and implement an improvement plan in accordance with the improvement order.

(7) If necessary for a controlled emitter to achieve the targets set under paragraph (1) and implement an improvement plan under paragraph (6) without obstacles, the Government may provide it with financial, taxation, management, and technical support, conduct a fact-finding survey and diagnosis, provide materials and information, and build a related information system.

(8) Matters necessary for the designation of controlled entities and setting of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under paragraph (1), observance of the targets, and submission, revision, and supplementation of statements under paragraph (3), management of a registry, scope and method of disclosure of information, and methods of requesting non-disclosure under paragraph (4), composition and operation of the examination committee and decision on disclosure of information under paragraph (5), improvement orders and implementation thereof under paragraph (6), etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 29(Designation of carbon neutral cities) #

(1) The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policies to create a city that embodies carbon neutrality in a spatial manner (hereinafter referred to as "carbon neutral city") by fully utilizing plans and technologies related to carbon neutrality.

(2) The Government may designate a city which intends to implement the following projects as a carbon neutral city, directly or at the request of the head of a local government:

1. Projects for reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing energy self-sufficiency in cities;

2. Projects for preparing, expanding, and improving carbon sinks, etc. under Article 33(1) in cities;

3. Conservation of the ecological network and restoration of the ecosystem in cities;

4. Creation of a resource-circulating city for coping with climate crisis;

5. Other projects necessary for coping with climate crisis, transition to a carbon neutral society, and improvement of the environmental quality in cities.

(3) The head of a local government having jurisdiction over the carbon neutral city designated under paragraph (2) shall formulate and implement a carbon neutral city development project plan.

(4) The Government may fully or partially subsidize expenses incurred in implementing a carbon neutral city development project.

(5) The Government may designate an institution prescribed by Presidential Decree from among public institutions as a support organization, in order to formulate and implement a project plan under paragraph (3), inspect the progress of the project, conduct surveys and research therefor, etc.

(6) Where a carbon neutral city designated under paragraph (2) no longer complies with the standards for designation prescribed by Presidential Decree, the Government may revoke its designation.

(7) Matters necessary for the designation of a carbon neutral city, revocation of such designation, formulation and implementation of a carbon neutral city development project plan, designation of supporting organizations, revocation of such designation, etc. under paragraphs (2) through (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 31(Expansion of green buildings) #

(1) The Government shall formulate and implement policies to increase the number of buildings with high efficiency in energy use, high percentage of using new and renewable energy, and minimum greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as "green buildings").

(2) The Government shall set and manage a mid- and long-term target and a periodic target for the buildings not below the criteria prescribed by Presidential Decree in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by the buildings.

(3) The Government shall formulate and implement measures and standards for each stage of design, construction, maintenance, dismantling, etc. of buildings, such as enhancing design standards and construction permission and review, in order to minimize the consumption of energy and resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire process of design, construction, maintenance, dismantling, etc. of buildings.

(4) The Government shall continue to implement projects for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy diagnosis, energy saving projects under Article 25 of the Energy Use Rationalization Act, and green remodeling projects under Article 27 of the Green Buildings Construction Support Act, to help convert existing buildings into green buildings.

(5) The Government may require newly constructed or renovated buildings to install and manage smart meters that can control and reduce energy consumption including power consumption.

(6) The Government shall establish implementation plans to convert the buildings of the central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions, educational institutions, etc. prescribed by Presidential Decree into green buildings, and apply policy measures under paragraphs (1) through (5) to inspect and manage the implementation progress.

(7) The Government shall proactively distribute green buildings in cases of developing a new city or re-developing cities in excess of a certain scale, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(8) If necessary for expanding the number of green buildings, the Government may provide financial support as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 32(Revitalization of green transport) #

(1) The Government shall set and control greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, etc. and formulate and implement a policy for phasing out the sale and operation of internal combustion engine vehicles as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to revitalize green transport which is a transport system boosting the efficient use of energy and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

(2) The Government shall set the efficiency standards for average energy consumption for motor vehicles and the permissible levels of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, respectively, in order to promote energy conservation by improving the efficiency of average energy consumption for motor vehicles and to help maintain a pleasant and appropriate atmospheric environment by reducing greenhouse gases among motor vehicle exhaust gases. In such cases, a motor vehicle manufacturer referred to in Article 46(1) of the Clean Air Conservation Act shall choose to comply with one of the efficiency standards for average energy consumption for motor vehicles and the permissible levels of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

(3) The Government shall set the annual distribution targets, etc. to promote the distribution of electric vehicles, solar-powered vehicles, and hydrogen electric vehicles defined in subparagraphs 3, 4, and 6 of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Motor Vehicles, and electric propulsion ships and fuel cell propulsion ships defined in subparagraph 3c and e of Article 2 of the Act on Promotion of Development and Distribution of Environment-Friendly Ships, and shall report on the implementation progress to PCCCR.

(4) In order to facilitate the distribution of electric vehicles, etc. under paragraph (3), the Government may devise measures to adopt and expand related systems, such as financial and taxation support, research and development, mandating the purchase of electric vehicles, and setting a target for distributing low-pollution vehicles.

(5) The Government shall continuously expand investment in railway to help it become the backbone of the national core transport network, expand means of public transportation, such as bus, subway, and light rail, and set and manage the mid- and long-term targets and phased targets for the modal share of railway transport and the modal share of public transportation.

(6) In order to minimize greenhouse gases and air pollution, drastically reduce social costs incurred by traffic congestion, and fundamentally resolve traffic congestion in large cities, the Seoul metropolitan area, etc., the Government shall devise measures to control traffic demand including each of the following matters, as prescribed by Presidential Decree:

1. Improvement of the systems for traffic congestion charges and traffic inducement charges;

2. Expansion of exclusive lanes for buses and low-pollution vehicles and no-entry zones for passenger cars;

3. Expansion and establishment of a smart traffic information system that can disperse traffic efficiently;

4. Measures to introduce various means of transportation, such as the use of bicycles and facilitation of coastal shipping.

Article 35(Implementation of international mitigation projects) #

(1) Any person who intends to conduct a project for technology support, investment, purchase, etc. to attain the mitigation outcomes of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Article 6 of the Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "international mitigation project") shall submit to the Government a project plan containing the details of the project, estimated greenhouse gas reductions, etc., and obtain prior approval thereof, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) A person who has obtained prior approval under paragraph (1) (hereafter in this Article referred to as "project implementer") shall conduct monitoring to objectively prove the amount of greenhouse gas emission reductions attained from the relevant project, and shall prepare a monitoring report in a measurable, reportable, and verifiable manner, obtain verification from a verification institution, and report it to the Government.

(3) A project implementer who has attained greenhouse gas reductions , which are deemed appropriate in light of the measurement, reporting, and verification manner under Article 6 of the Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "international mitigation outcomes"), through an international mitigation project shall report it to the Government without delay, and the Government shall register the reported international mitigation outcomes in the international mitigation register and manage it systematically; provided, if the details of report fail to comply with the standards of the Agreement, the Government may request supplementation thereto.

(4) A project implementer may trade the registered international mitigation outcomes by transactions or other means, and when the mitigation outcomes are traded or extinguished, he or she shall report such fact to the Government; provided, a person who intends to transfer the international mitigation outcomes to abroad or into the Republic of Korea shall obtain prior approval from the Government.

(5) The Government may utilize the registered international mitigation outcomes to achieve the mid- to long-term reduction targets, etc.

(6) The Government may conduct an international mitigation project jointly with a foreign government, and may establish an international consultative body on mitigation projects in consultation with a foreign government implementing the joint project for deliberation on the following matters:

1. Approval of the implement method of projects;

2. Registration of international mitigation projects;

3. Transfer of international mitigation outcomes.

(7) Matters necessary for the standards, methods, and procedures for prior approval under paragraph (1), preparation methods and verification procedures of monitoring reports under paragraph (2), reporting methods under paragraph (3), reporting methods and standards and procedures for prior approval under paragraph (4), etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 36(Establishment of National Greenhouse Management System) #

(1) The Government shall establish and operate a National Greenhouse Management System for developing, analyzing, verifying, preparing, and managing various information and statistics related to greenhouse gases, such as the amount of greenhouse gas emission and absorption, and emission and absorption coefficient by country and region, and shall establish the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center (hereinafter referred to as "GIR") within the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The head of the relevant central administrative agency shall fully cooperate in ensuring that the National Greenhouse Management System under paragraph (1) is operated smoothly, by annually compiling the information and statistics in the competent sector, such as energy, industrial process, agriculture, wastes, oceans and fisheries, and forestry, and submit them to GIR.

(3) A Mayor/Do Governor and the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall fully cooperate in ensuring that the National Greenhouse Management System under paragraph (1) is operated smoothly, by annually compiling and submitting the relevant information and statistics for the calculation, analysis, etc. of regional statistics on greenhouse gas emissions, and the Government shall secure coherence between the national greenhouse gas emissions and the regional greenhouse gas emissions.

(4) The Government shall spare no efforts to comply with the standards under the Agreement in developing, analyzing, verifying, compiling, and managing various information and statistics or establishing the National Greenhouse Management System under paragraph (1) to improve transparency, accuracy, completeness, consistency, and comparability.

(5) The Government shall analyze and verify various information and statistics under paragraph (1), including national, sectoral, and regional greenhouse gas emissions and their estimated figures, and disclose the results thereof every year.

(6) Matters necessary for the establishment of the National Greenhouse Management System, operation of GIR, the scope of information and statistics subject to submission by the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies, Mayors/Do Governors, and the heads of Sis/Guns/Gus, and the development, analysis, verification, compilation, and management of the information and statistics, as well as the timing, methods, etc. for disclosure of various information and statistics under paragraphs (1) through (5), shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 37(Monitoring and prediction of climate crisis) #

(1) The Government shall establish and operate a climate crisis monitoring, prediction, and management system to constantly measure and survey changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, to enhance capabilities for observing, predicting, providing, and utilizing information on meteorological phenomena, abnormal climate, and extreme climate, and to increase the accuracy of monitoring and predicting the climate crisis, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>

(2) The Government shall establish and operate a climate crisis adaptation information management system to effectively collect, manage, and utilize climate crisis adaptation information. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2024>

(3) The Government may establish and operate an integrated climate crisis adaptation information platform to disclose to the public the climate crisis adaptation information collected and produced through the climate crisis adaptation information management system under paragraph (2) and to enable relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, industry, the research community, academia, and other similar entities to easily utilize such information. <Added on Oct. 22, 2024>

(4) The Government may promote policy measures for surveys and research, technological development, support for specialized institutions, establishment of domestic and international cooperative systems, etc. to establish and operate the climate crisis monitoring, prediction, and management system under paragraph (1), the climate crisis adaptation information management system under paragraph (2), and the integrated climate crisis adaptation information platform under paragraph (3). <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>

(5) Matters necessary for the establishment and operation of the climate crisis monitoring, prediction, and management system under paragraph (1), the climate crisis adaptation information management system under paragraph (2), and the integrated climate crisis adaptation information platform under paragraph (3), and for the promotion of policy measures under paragraph (4), etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>

Article 38(Formulation and implementation of national climate crisis adaptation measures) #

(1) The Government shall establish and implement national climate crisis adaptation measures (hereinafter referred to as "climate crisis adaptation measures") every five years.

(2) Each climate crisis adaptation measure shall include the following matters:

1. Matters regarding enhancement of the capability to monitor, forecast, provide information on, and utilize climate crisis;

2. Matters regarding the sectoral and regional impacts on climate crisis and assessment of sectoral and regional vulnerability to climate crisis;

3. Matters regarding sectoral and regional climate crisis adaptation measures;

4. Matters regarding the prevention of disasters for vulnerable social groups, regions, etc. caused by climate crisis;

5. Matters regarding international agreements, etc. for adaptation to climate crisis;

6. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary for adaptation to climate crisis.

(3) Where the climate crisis adaptation measures are established or modified, it shall be subject to deliberation by PCCCR; provided, the same shall not apply where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are modified.

(4) The head of the relevant central administrative agency shall formulate and implement detailed action plans to perform the duties under his or her jurisdiction of climate crisis adaptation measures (hereinafter referred to as "detailed action plan for adaptation measures") more efficiently and systematically.

(5) The Government may provide technical, administrative, and financial support necessary to ensure that the relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions, business entities, etc. strengthen their capabilities to adapt to climate crisis in line with the climate crisis adaptation measures.

(6) Matters necessary for the formulation, implementation, modification, etc. of climate crisis adaptation measures and detailed action plans for adaptation measures under paragraphs (1) through (4) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 48(Designation of special district for just transition) #

(1) The Government may designate any of the following areas as a special district for just transition (hereinafter referred to as "special district") following deliberation by PCCCR:

1. An area in which the employment environment has changed or is likely to change significantly due to rapid job losses, regional economic slump, and changing industrial structures in the course of transition to a carbon neutral society;

2. An area meeting the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, which is expected to experience or has experienced rapid changes in the socio-economic environment in the course of transition to a carbon neutral society;

3. Any other area which PCCCR deems it necessary to designate as a special district to resolve socio-economic imbalance that is likely to arise in the course of transition to a carbon neutral society.

(2) The Government shall establish and implement measures for areas designated as special districts, including the following support:

1. Employment security, research and development, commercialization, domestic sale, and support for export for enterprises and micro enterprises;

2. Prevention of unemployment, and support for maintaining livelihoods and helping reemployment of unemployed persons;

3. Support for fostering new industries and attracting investment therein;

4. Support for a person who conducts business related to boost of employment;

5. Other administrative or financial support measures necessary to facilitate the conversion of industry and employment, or tax benefits prescribed by the Acts on taxation, such as the Restriction of Special Taxation Act.

(3) If there are any grounds prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as where grounds for designation under paragraph (1) cease to exist, the Government may modify or revoke the designation of a special district, after deliberation by PCCCR.

(4) Matters necessary for the designation, modification, revocation of designation of a special district, and details, methods, etc. of support for a special district under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 66(Spread of production and consumption cultures for transition to carbon neutral society and green growth) #

(1) The Government shall formulate and implement policy measures for the saving and efficient use of energy and resources and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire process of production, consumption, transportation, and disposal (hereinafter referred to as "production, etc.") of goods.

(2) The Government shall ensure that the energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. are reasonably linked to and reflected in the price of goods and services and the accurate information thereon is disclosed and delivered to consumers, in order to expand and enhance the consumers' right to choose.

(3) The Government may establish and operate an information management system through which consumption of energy and resources, emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, etc. throughout the entire process of production, etc. of goods can be analyzed and evaluated and information on the results of analysis and evaluation can be accumulated and used.

(4) The Government shall formulate and implement policy measures that require producers, sellers, etc. of goods to indicate and disclose the information or grade on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants generated in the process, etc. of producing the goods to help consumers easily recognize such information or grade, in order to promote and spread the use and consumption of products that minimize the input of energy and resources and the generation of greenhouse gases and pollutants (hereinafter referred to as "green product").

(5) The Government may establish a cooperative system with enterprises as prescribed by Presidential Decree and provide incentives by utilizing credit cards, etc. under subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Specialized Credit Finance Business Act, in order to promote the production and consumption cultures for the transition to a carbon neutral society and promotion of green growth.

Article 67(Support, education, and public relations for green life campaign) #

(1) The Government shall formulate policy measures to support a life of minimizing the generation of greenhouse gases and pollutants through saving of energy and resources and conversion of consumption toward green products in citizens’ everyday life from production to consumption to activities, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "green life"), establish a cooperative system aimed at carbon neutrality with local governments, enterprises, private organizations, etc., and reinforce education and public relations, thereby aggressively spreading a national green life campaign.

(2) The Government may provide relevant private organizations, institutions, etc. with necessary financial and administrative support to ensure the green life campaign is spread as a voluntary practice movement driven by the private sector.

(3) The Government may implement the following programs for the spread of a green life:

1. Programs to provide incentives to house or commercial buildings according to the reduction level of usage of electricity, water supply, urban gas, etc.;

2. Programs to provide incentives based on the reduction rate of annual mileage of passenger vehicles and buses for passengers;

3. Other programs prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary to increase public awareness of the transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth and to support their practice.

(4) The Government shall expand education and public relations for the transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth to encourage business entities, citizens, etc. to voluntarily participate in relevant policies and activities and practice green life in their everyday life.

(5) The Government shall strengthen school education, such as developing teaching materials including curriculum books and training teachers, reinforce an integrated education linked to general cultural education, vocational education, basic lifelong education courses, etc., and implement a program for training and supporting professional human resources relating to the transition to a carbon neutral society and green growth, in order to ensure that citizens in all generations can practice green life.

(6) The Government shall strengthen education and public relations activities through mass media, including newspapers, broadcasting, and Internet portal, so as to facilitate the settlement and spread of green life.

(7) Public broadcasting shall spare no efforts to produce and broadcast programs for coping with climate crisis and to promote public service announcement related to climate crisis.

FRAMEWORK ACT ON CARBON NEUTRALITY AND GREEN GROWTH FOR COPING WITH CLIMATE CRISIS

Article 1(Purpose) #

Article 2(Definitions) #

Article 3(Basic principles) #

Article 4(Responsibilities of the State and local governments) #

Article 5(Responsibilities of public institutions, business entities, and citizens) #

Article 6(Relationship to other statutes) #

Article 7(National vision and strategy) #

Article 8(National mid- and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets) #

Article 9(Inspection of current status of implementation) #

Article 10(Formulation and implementation of national framework plan for carbon neutrality and green growth) #

Article 11(Formulation of City/Do plans) #

Article 12(Formulation of Si/Gun/Gu plans) #

Article 13(Inspection of implementation progress of national framework plan) #

Article 14(Notification of enactment and amendment of statutes or regulations) #

Article 15(Establishment of Presidential Commission on Climate Crisis Response) #

Article 16(Functions of PCCCR) #

Article 17(Meetings) #

Article 18(Disqualification of, challenge to, or recusal of, Committee members) #

Article 19(Establishment of subcommittees) #

Article 20(Investigation and hearing of opinions) #

Article 21(Secretariat) #

Article 22(Composition and Operation of Local Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committees) #

Article 23(Climate change impact assessment) #

Article 24(Greenhouse gas reduction cognitive budget system) #

Article 25(Greenhouse gas emissions trading system) #

Article 26(Greenhouse gas target control in public sector) #

Article 27(Greenhouse gas target control of controlled emitter) #

Article 28(Succession to rights and obligations of controlled emitters) #

Article 29(Designation of carbon neutral cities) #

Article 30(Support for local energy conversion) #

Article 31(Expansion of green buildings) #

Article 32(Revitalization of green transport) #

Article 33(Expansion of carbon sinks) #

Article 34(Fostering of technology for carbon capture, use, and storage) #

Article 35(Implementation of international mitigation projects) #

Article 36(Establishment of National Greenhouse Management System) #

Article 37(Monitoring and prediction of climate crisis) #

Article 37-2(Prediction of climate change impacts by sector) #

Article 38(Formulation and implementation of national climate crisis adaptation measures) #

Article 39(Inspection of implementation progress of climate crisis adaptation measures) #

Article 40(Formulation and implementation of local adaptation measures for climate crisis) #

Article 41(Public institutions’ adaptation measures for climate crisis) #

Article 42(Implementation of regional climate crisis response projects) #

Article 43(Water management for coping with climate crisis) #

Article 44(Management of green homeland) #

Article 45(Promotion of conversion of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries) #

Article 46(Designation and evaluation of Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change) #

Article 47(Preparation of social safety network for climate crisis) #

Article 48(Designation of special district for just transition) #

Article 49(Support for business conversion) #

Article 50(Minimization of risk of property loss) #

Article 51(Support for ensuring citizen participation) #

Article 52(Activation of cooperatives) #

Article 53(Establishment of just conversion support center) #

Article 54(Fostering of and support for green economy and green industries) #

Article 55(Facilitation of green management of enterprises) #

Article 56(Facilitation of research, development, and commercialization of green technology) #

Article 57(Operation of taxation system) #

Article 58(Financial support and revitalization) #

Article 59(Support for and special cases concerning green technology and green industries) #

Article 60(Standardization and certification of green technology and green industries) #

Article 61(Development of cluster and complex of green technology and green industries) #

Article 62(Job creation of green technology and green industries) #

Article 63(Policy measures for information and communications technology and services) #

Article 64(Revitalization of circular economy) #

Article 65(Local governments' action alliance for carbon neutrality) #

Article 66(Spread of production and consumption cultures for transition to carbon neutral society and green growth) #

Article 67(Support, education, and public relations for green life campaign) #

Article 68(Establishment of carbon neutrality support center) #

Article 69(Establishment of climate response fund) #

Article 70(Purposes of Fund) #

Article 71(Money transferred from general accounts) #

Article 72(Operation and management of Fund) #

Article 72-2(Evaluation of Fund) #

Article 73(Accounting agency of Fund) #

Article 74(Disposal of profits and losses) #

Article 75(Strengthening of international cooperation) #

Article 76(Response to international standards) #

Article 77(Preparation of national reports) #