Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Press Release Guidelines
  • Op-ed Guidelines
  • Indonesia
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Youth
  • SDGs
  • Topics
  • #LetterfromtheFounder
  • Featured
  • News

South Korea’s Coal Transition: Progress, Strategies, and Recommendations

Coal phase-out is critical for countries to curb carbon emissions and keep the world from warming. The recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals recommendations for South Korea’s coal transition strategies.
by Kresentia Madina May 8, 2023
burning coal

Photo: Nikolay Kovalenko on Unsplash.

Achieving carbon neutrality has been a global goal following the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Coal phase-out is critical for countries to curb carbon emissions and keep the world from warming. The recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals recommendations for South Korea’s coal transition strategies.

Global coal emissions

Coal is still the largest energy source for electricity generation. In 2021, global coal emissions hit a record of 15.3 gigatonnes, growing by 1.6% the following year. Transitioning from coal power plants to clean energy becomes critical in keeping the earth’s temperature at bay.

South Korea is one of the countries that has signed its commitment to climate action during the Paris Agreement. It declared carbon neutrality by 2050. The country has developed several policies and strategies to curb its carbon emissions for years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) report, commissioned by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, looks into South Korea’s coal transition progress and challenges.

South Korea’s coal transition

Since 2018, coal has been the dominant source of power generation in South Korea. The report reveals that coal accounted for the largest share of 31.1% in the generation mix, followed by nuclear (29.7%), gas (28.5%), and renewables (9.2%). As of 2022, the country has 57 domestic coal-fired power units with over 20,000 workers employed in the sector.

South Korea’s recent energy policies have incorporated strategies for coal transition. The 3rd National Master Plan for Energy addresses air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by banning the construction of new coal power plants and retiring old units into cleaner facilities. Under the presidency of Moon Jae-In (2017-2022), South Korea has shuttered ten coal power plants worth 3,300-megawatt of power generation. Two units in Yeongdong County also went through a fuel-switching transition.

The 9th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand aims to increase the country’s renewable energy capacities from 15.1% to 40% by 2034. Reducing oil and coal, expanding renewables, and introducing co-firing of zero-emission fuels are also on the country’s agenda to achieve carbon neutrality.

Key policy recommendations

The retirement of fossil fuels is included in the United Nations’ 2023 priorities. In recent years, international partnerships, investments in renewable energy sources, and national energy transition schemes have been popping out to support global energy transition. The report concludes with three key policy recommendations applicable to South Korea’s coal transition:

  • Follow the principles of a people-centered transition.

A just energy transition should put people at the center of its strategies. This includes fair treatment of industry workers, re-employment, compensation, and more sustainable production systems.

  • Ensure security and affordability of the electricity system.

The coal transition needs to consider the affordability of the electricity supply. It requires considerable investments to support replacing coal-fired generation and its systems.

  • Consider the conversion of coal-fired plants to low-emissions assets.

Coal-fired power plants consist of complex facilities that often hinder energy transition. Converting coal plants into low-emission assets will allow an easier, more supportive, and more secure social and economic energy transition.

Read the full report here.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Thank you for reading!
If you find this article insightful, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter to stay up-to-date with sustainable development news and stories from multistakeholder communities in the Asia Pacific and beyond.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Kresentia Madina
Website | + posts

Madina is an In-House Reporter & Researcher at Green Network Asia. She covers Global, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australasia.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Bangladesh
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Cambodia Partners with PAGE for Green Economy Transition
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Seagrass Conservation Should Start Now
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Elevating Climate Journalists with Indonesian Climate Journalist Network

Continue Reading

Previous: Indigenous Women in Environmental Destruction Circles in Indonesia
Next: Malnutrition in Pakistan Persists

Related Stories

WeGotThis poster #WeGotThis Invites ASEAN Youths to Advance Youth Engagement in Sustainability
  • Featured
  • News

#WeGotThis Invites ASEAN Youths to Advance Youth Engagement in Sustainability

by Nazalea Kusuma May 26, 2023
two persons holding hands Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Bangladesh
  • Featured
  • News

Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Bangladesh

by Kresentia Madina May 25, 2023
three wooden blocks with illustrations and one globe Cambodia Partners with PAGE for Green Economy Transition
  • Featured
  • News

Cambodia Partners with PAGE for Green Economy Transition

by Kresentia Madina May 24, 2023
Ulet Ifansasti photographing the wildfire in Central Kalimantan in 2019 | Photo: Fully Syafi. Iklimku: How Climate Photography Can Tell Stories Beyond Words
  • Featured
  • Interview

Iklimku: How Climate Photography Can Tell Stories Beyond Words

by Abul Muamar May 23, 2023
two snow leopards 5 Animal Conservation Efforts in Asia
  • Brief
  • Featured

5 Animal Conservation Efforts in Asia

by Nazalea Kusuma May 22, 2023
A group of little boys and girls studying together outside at a park Advancing Sustainability Education with Greening Education Partnership
  • Featured
  • News

Advancing Sustainability Education with Greening Education Partnership

by Nazalea Kusuma May 19, 2023
  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Partner
  • WeGotThis poster #WeGotThis Invites ASEAN Youths to Advance Youth Engagement in Sustainability
    • Featured
    • News

    #WeGotThis Invites ASEAN Youths to Advance Youth Engagement in Sustainability

  • two persons holding hands Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Bangladesh
    • Featured
    • News

    Addressing the Mental Health Gap in Bangladesh

  • three wooden blocks with illustrations and one globe Cambodia Partners with PAGE for Green Economy Transition
    • Featured
    • News

    Cambodia Partners with PAGE for Green Economy Transition

  • Ulet Ifansasti photographing the wildfire in Central Kalimantan in 2019 | Photo: Fully Syafi. Iklimku: How Climate Photography Can Tell Stories Beyond Words
    • Featured
    • Interview

    Iklimku: How Climate Photography Can Tell Stories Beyond Words

  • two snow leopards 5 Animal Conservation Efforts in Asia
    • Brief
    • Featured

    5 Animal Conservation Efforts in Asia

  • The green landscape of Semakau Island in Singapore Semakau Island, the Green Landfill in Singapore
    • Featured
    • News

    Semakau Island, the Green Landfill in Singapore

  • Indonesian spices as cultural heritage Enthusiasts Reclaim Spices’ Cultural Heritage, Launch Spice Hub Indonesia
    • Featured
    • News

    Enthusiasts Reclaim Spices’ Cultural Heritage, Launch Spice Hub Indonesia

  • illustration of National SDG tracker by Unescap UNESCAP Supports “Build Back Better” with the National SDG Tracker
    • Featured
    • News

    UNESCAP Supports “Build Back Better” with the National SDG Tracker

  • Beena Rao and Her Fight for Education for the Children of the Slums
    • Figure

    Beena Rao and Her Fight for Education for the Children of the Slums

  • Muslimat NU of Bojong-Tegal Campaigns Environmental Protection, Reduces Waste Production
    • Featured
    • News

    Muslimat NU of Bojong-Tegal Campaigns Environmental Protection, Reduces Waste Production

  • green big containers, blue building, and large tube at Hamparan project site B-Corp Certified Gree Energy’s Commitments for Food Industry Decarbonization
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    B-Corp Certified Gree Energy’s Commitments for Food Industry Decarbonization

  • the TEPI Talks #4 event poster Media Engagement Workshop for Sustainable Grassroots Movements by Women’s Earth Alliance Indonesia
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    Media Engagement Workshop for Sustainable Grassroots Movements by Women’s Earth Alliance Indonesia

  • Bali Grows Arms for Stronger Economic Recovery
    • Brief
    • Featured
    • Partner

    Bali Grows Arms for Stronger Economic Recovery

  • The illustration of Harm Reduction with the fundamental purpose of upholding the safety and dignity of all people. An Introduction to Harm Reduction
    • Brief
    • Featured
    • Partner

    An Introduction to Harm Reduction

  • A young adult from we day ugm and three elementary schoolers planting mangrove seed. Photo is taken from above and shows only their heads and backs. WE Day UGM 2022: Raising Awareness on Climate Change and Encouraging Community Empowerment
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    WE Day UGM 2022: Raising Awareness on Climate Change and Encouraging Community Empowerment

About Us

  • About
  • The Team
  • Partner with Us
  • Contribute to Our Mission
  • Press Release Guidelines
  • Op-ed Guidelines
  • Advisory Network
  • Youth Advisory Network
  • Author Network
  • Work with Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Telegram
  • Etsy
  • Tokopedia
  • Media Link 11
  • Media Link 12
  • Media Link 13
  • Media Link 14
  • Media Link 15
© 2023 Green Network Asia