South Korea’s Constitutional Court has directed the government to enhance its climate change goals with more detailed action plans spanning until 2049. This ruling comes as a partial victory for climate activists who have been advocating for more significant efforts from the government to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
The Court’s assessment was delivered while addressing four climate-related cases raised by 254 plaintiffs, including numerous young individuals who initiated complaints starting in 2020 when they were children or teenagers. These plaintiffs contended that South Korea’s current target of reducing carbon emissions by 35% from 2018 levels by 2030 is insufficient in dealing with the effects of climate change and lacks substantial implementation strategies.
Additionally, they highlighted the absence of post-2031 emission reduction plans despite the country’s aspirations for carbon neutrality by 2050. The plaintiffs argued that the purportedly lax climate policies of South Korea jeopardize their rights by exposing them to potential environmental degradation and climate-related risks in the future.
Although the Court did not mandate the government to adopt a more ambitious 2030 target under the carbon neutrality act, it did acknowledge the necessity for plans outlining emission reductions from 2031 to 2049. The government has been instructed to revise the carbon neutrality law by February 28, 2026, to incorporate these specified plans.
South Korea’s government has yet to provide a response following the Court’s ruling.
