These updates capture the most important items of evidence collected by the LobbyMap platform, allowing users to track how companies are industry associations are seeking to influence climate policy in real-time.
In a 9 September Asia Economy article, Korea Chemical Industry Association (KCIA) appeared unsupportive of reforms to the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) which aim to increase the effectiveness of the scheme, such as lowering the cap of carbon offset. During a discussion on the Fourth Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Allocation Plan, KCIA suggested that the offset emission cap should be maintained at the current level.
In a 9 September press release, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) appeared unsupportive of reforms to the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) which aim to increase the carbon price and effectiveness of the scheme. KCCI raised concerns that the government’s expansion of the ‘emissions reserve’ would reduce pre-allocations to companies, and that higher electricity rates resulting from an increase in paid allocations would impose additional costs. During a discussion on the Fourth Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Allocation Plan, the director of KCCI’s Sustainability Management Institute also called for the establishment of a more ‘reasonable scheme’.
In its 26 August submission to the public consultation on extending the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to downstream products, as well as on related anti-circumvention measures and electricity rules, the Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA) did not support expanding the mechanism’s scope to include downstream coverage or additional anti-circumvention measures.
In a 23 September SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Innovation E&S appeared to support a continued role for fossil gas in integrated energy in the power sector without clearly specifying timelines for its phase-out in line with IPCC guidelines. SK Innovation E&S referenced a combined heat and power plant that uses fossil gas as an example of integrated energy, describing it as a highly efficient method that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
In a 24 September public discussion on the 2035 NDC targets for the transport sector, the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) Chairman Kang Nam-hoon expressed support for transport decarbonization measures -- such as EV subsidies, but emphasized that zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) deployment targets must align with the pace of domestic industrial development. He emphasized the need for ZEV deployment goals to reflect realistic technological progress and be supported by detailed policy measures and institutional design. During the discussion, Kang also acknowledged the role of CO₂ regulations but cautioned that excessive regulatory burdens without sufficient government support could hinder electrification, calling instead for a balanced policy mix of regulation, incentives, and infrastructure.
However, in a 26 September press release, KAMA opposed increasing the ambition of the ZEV deployment targets, arguing that such targets should prioritize the competitiveness and sustainability of South Korea’s automotive industry. KAMA expressed concern that the deployment levels outlined in the 2035 NDC scenarios, requiring nearly all new vehicle sales by 2035 to be ZEVs, are unrealistic under current market and technological conditions.
In a 12 September news article, the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association announced that the Minister of Environment, Kim Sung-hwan, had a meeting with companies, including Hanwha Solutions, to review next-generation solar technology research and gather industry feedback. During the meeting, Yoo Jae-yeol, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Solutions, requested the introduction of an investment tax credit for power producers and proposed a system similar to the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (AMPC) to support initial investment and production in solar module and cell manufacturing.
In a 5 August SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Innovation supported a continued role for oil and fossil gas in South Korea, emphasizing energy security benefits. However, SK Innovation did not place clear conditions on the need for CCS or methane emission abatement on the use of oil and gas, or specify clear timelines for energy transition that are in line with IPCC guidance. In addition, in a 6 August SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Earthon, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, advocated for investments, infrastructure, or other measures that risk fossil fuel lock-in, also emphasizing lacking of domestic oil resources and energy security in South Korea.
In a 22 August press release, SK Inc. supported the use of advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and announced that it had requested the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to introduce incentives to encourage private sector participation. SK Inc. stated that these measures were necessary to secure South Korea’s leadership in the growing global SMR market. While SK Inc. highlighted the potential of SMRs to contribute to carbon reduction and energy security, it did not clarify its position on South Korea’s broader energy mix.
In a 28 July POSCO Newsroom article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) supported the decarbonization of the steel industry, stressing its economic and technological feasibility. The company highlighted the need for increased policy measures, including green premiums, as well as investment and government funding in research and development (R&D) to increase the development of breakthrough technologies for decarbonization. In the same article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) broadly supported a phaseout of blast furnace steelmaking and the use of coal, while advocating a continued role for fossil gas for the transition period without placing clear conditions on the deployment of CCS or methane abatement measures. POSRI supported an energy transition pathway that includes an increase in renewables and nuclear, but there is some ambiguity regarding the pace and extent of this transition and its alignment with IPCC recommendations.
According to 2 July National Assembly Policy Data, POSCO broadly supported an increase in green hydrogen and zero-emissions hydrogen, especially produced from nuclear power, for direct reduced iron (DRI) steelmaking to decarbonize the steel industry at a Policy Discussion on Hydrogen Reduction Steelmaking and Nuclear Power Plant Utilization for Carbon Reduction.
In a 22 July POSCO Newsroom article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) generally supported the electrification of transport and buildings while communicating the need to increase the share of renewable energy. POSRI mentioned electrification as an 'essential element for achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets'.
In a 15 July press release from the 'Solar Energy Sector’s Public-Private Consultative Body Meeting' held by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) called for policy to support the recycling of used solar panel by establishing a domestic resource circulation system.
In a 7 July eNews Today article, POSCO Holdings supported a long-term role for nuclear power in the energy mix and called for revising Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to include nuclear power, but POSCO's position on a full transition towards a zero-emission energy system was unclear. In a 3 August Yeongnam Economic News article, POSCO Holdings supported an expanded role for zero-emissions hydrogen, especially hydrogen produced from nuclear, in the steel industry, but it was unclear if the company supported a full transition in line with IPCC recommendations.
In a 28 July POSCO Newsroom article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) appeared to support a weaker 2035 GHG Emissions Reduction Target (Nationally Determined Contribution) in South Korea. POSRI called for establishing 'feasible and reasonable' 2035 NDC target that reflects both realistic implementation capabilities and a vision for a future decarbonization transition.
In a 16 July press release, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) appeared to support renewable energy legislation and submitted a proposal to revise renewable energy legislations for the energy transition to the government. This proposal included improvements to the Farmland Act and easing the solar panel separation distance regulation. However, in a 1 July press release at an SGI Sustainable Growth Forum, KCCI supported renewable energy in principle, but appeared to argue that the transition should occur without government intervention or regulatory support. KCCI emphasized harmonizing industrial policy with innovation and market principles, while quoting the State Affairs Planning Committee "support but do not interfere."
In a 23 July Business Community Proposal for Establishing Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability Policies, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) supported expanding government measures to decarbonize South Korea’s heavy-duty vehicle sector. FKI proposed expanding subsidies and charging infrastructure to promote the replacement of aging construction equipment with electric alternatives, and called for government support for mobile hydrogen refueling stations to accelerate hydrogen mobility adoption. FKI also supported government incentives to reduce emissions in South Korea’s steel industry. However, it was unclear whether FKI supported a full transition of the steel sector in line with IPCC recommendations.
In the same proposal, FKI supported measures to limit the negative biodiversity impacts of large-scale solar installations and emphasized the need for government intervention to expand solar and wind energy in South Korea’s energy mix. FKI noted that the country’s fossil fuel–reliant grid results in a high national average emission factor, placing domestic companies at a disadvantage under global carbon regulations. The proposal called for a full-system transition—across generation, transmission, and consumption—through measures such as expanding solar and wind power, decommissioning old coal plants, refurbishing nuclear facilities, hydrogen co-firing, and deploying electric boilers, heat pumps, EV charging management, and on-site generation.
In a 4 August press release, Korea Iron and Steel Association (KOSA) welcomed a 'Special Act on Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Steel Industry and Transitioning to Green Steel Technology', which was proposed by co-representatives of the National Assembly Steel Forum. This Special Act includes investment and government funding in research and development (R&D) to increase the development of breakthrough technologies to decarbonize the steel industry. KOSA expressed its expectations around the policy "strengthening the competitiveness of the steel industry and establishing a sustainable industrial foundation".
In a 28 July press release, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) appeared to support improving renewable portfolio standards in South Korea, while emphasizing difficulties coming from high renewable energy prices. According to a 20 July Chosun Biz article, at a Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Summer Forum press conference, the Chairman of KCCI, Chey Tae-won also stated concerns over the economic feasibility of renewable energy, while supporting a longer role for nuclear in the energy mix, but seemingly as an alternative to a transition to renewable energy.
In a 3 July SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Energy, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, supported the increased use of SAF in aviation, referring to SAF as an alternative to fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions. However, it was unclear whether the entity is supports a future transition to synthetic fuels and electric or hydrogen power, in alignment with IPCC guidelines.
In a 21 July Contribution in K-Land Daily article, the Vice-Chairman of the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) actively supporting renewable energy legislation, including mandatory use of domestically produced solar power products and carbon rating policy. He also called for groundbreaking policy support from the Korean government for the renewable energy industry, especially solar energy industry.
This briefing analyzes the corporate and industry influence on the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) over the 15-year timeframe, led by the cross-sector industry associations and steel industry to weaken the ambition and effectiveness of the policy.
This bulletin offers insights on the climate policy engagement of major steel companies and their industry associations from the first half of 2024.
This briefing highlights evidence of corporate engagement by the Japanese and Korean steel industries to weaken the ambition of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM).
This report contains analysis and scorecards of the climate policy engagement of the largest steelmakers in China, India, Japan and Korea.
An overview of the corporate lobbying detected by InfluenceMap related to fossil fuels and methane for the month of June 2023.
This briefing provides an analysis of the climate-related policy engagement of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), which includes Hyundai Motor, KIA, General Motors Korea (GM Korea), and Renault Korea Motors in its corporate members. KAMA acts as the collective voice of automakers...
