The Korea Environment Institute (KEI) and Seoul Institute jointly hosted the “2023 Green Korea & Environmental Forum” on December 13 at the Koreana Hotel, Seoul. The forum was organized collaboratively by the KEI and K-water, and it was attended by 16 regional research institutes of South Korea, including the co-organizer Seoul Institute. The forum, titled “Pioneering Carbon-Neutral Cities: Locally-Led Initiatives and Global Strategies,” aimed to serve as an open platform for exchanging regional strategies and exemplary practices for building carbon-neutral cities. It also sought to facilitate in-depth discussions on promoting community-led plans for achieving carbon neutrality goals and initiatives to further facilitate cooperation among institutes.

The forum commenced with opening remarks from KEI President Chang Hoon Lee, followed by welcome remarks from the President of the Seoul Institute, Hyung-soo Park. Video messages delivering congratulatory speeches were given by Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; Wha-jin Han, Environment Minister of South Korea; and Sehoon Oh, Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Keynote speakers included Maria Castillo Fernandez, EU Ambassador to Korea; Frank Rijsberman, Director General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI); and Ganbold Baasanjav, Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

KEI President Chang Hoon Lee delivering opening remarks.

Seoul Institute President Hyung-soo Park delivering welcome remarks.

After the keynote speeches, two roundtable sessions were conducted, during which in-depth discussions focused on innovative carbon neutrality initiatives, action plans, collaboration opportunities, and required governance.

(From left to right) KEI President Chang Hoon Lee (Moderator); Incheon Institute President Hokoon Park; Gangwon Institute President Jinkwon Hyun; Daegu Policy Institute President Yangho Park; Aileen Leycano, Executive Director of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines Secretariat; and Ganbold Baasanjave, Head of the UNESCAP East and North-East Asia Office engaged in the first roundtable titled “Innovation and Action for Carbon Neutrality.”

In the afternoon, four expert sessions took place, with discussions centering on carbon neutrality strategies at the city and local levels, featuring example cases. Other topics included the international standardization of carbon-neutral cities, local-level approaches encompassing social, technological, and ecological aspects of carbon neutrality, and the decentralization of finance.

KEI President Lee emphasized the imperative for regional organizations to actively engage and foster mutual cooperation. He underscored the significance of the regional community taking a lead role in developing climate-resilient cities to achieve a carbon-neutral society in the future.

Group photo of participants striking the Korean finger heart pose.