[Reporter’s Notebook] The 'Carbon Neutrality Basic Act' That Does Not Specify 'Nuclear Phase-Out'

'Including 'Nuclear Phase-Out' in the Definition of 'Energy Transition' is a 'Minority Opinion'

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] "The definition of energy transition should clearly stipulate reducing fossil fuels and nuclear energy for climate crisis response, carbon emission reduction, environmental safety, and sustainability, and transitioning to renewable energy." (Minority opinion on the recently passed 'Carbon Neutrality Basic Act' in the standing committee)

The National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee recently passed the 'Basic Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Climate Crisis Response (Alternative)' in a plenary session. Earlier, the committee presented a minority opinion on the clause included in the 'Basic Act for Climate Crisis Response and Just Green Transition,' originally proposed by Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi, which states "to boldly reduce the use of nuclear energy and phase it out step by step."

Generally, when consensus is not formed within the committee and the relevant ministry cannot accept a proposal, it is handled as a minority opinion. Conversely, this means the majority opposed this claim. The Ministry of Environment also expressed during the bill review process that instead of specifically listing examples of energy sources to be changed in the law, the direction should only stipulate pursuing climate crisis response, environmental safety, security, and sustainability across the entire energy system.

The Environment and Labor Committee defined energy transition as "transforming the entire system from energy production, transmission, to consumption to pursue climate crisis response, environmental safety, energy security, and sustainability." Although discussions were held on the definition of energy transition during the bill review process, the actual bill did not specifically state "transition from which energy sources." A National Assembly official said, "In a situation where the overwhelming majority is from the ruling party, leaving nuclear phase-out as a minority opinion means the ruling party also agreed with it," adding, "It is a subtle expression of the ruling party's positive stance on maintaining nuclear power." This leaves room for the possibility of increasing the role of nuclear power in achieving carbon neutrality.

This bill still faces hurdles in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session. It is worth reflecting on the fact that the relevant standing committee prepared a definition of energy transition that does not presuppose nuclear phase-out after thorough discussion.

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