"Carbon Neutrality Requires SME Participation for Completion... Need for Customized Support Policies"

Korea Federation of SMEs-Carbon Neutrality Committee, Meeting on the 10th
"Aware of Carbon Neutrality but Lacking Capacity to Respond"
Proposals for Electricity Rate Hikes and Delivery Price Linkage System

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector met with the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee to share the government's carbon neutrality scenario and convey policy suggestions.

On the morning of the 10th, the Korea Federation of SMEs and the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee held a meeting at the Korea Federation of SMEs office in Yeouido, Seoul. From the SME sector, Korea Federation of SMEs Chairman Kim Ki-moon and representatives of SMEs by industry attended, while from the Carbon Neutrality Committee, Im Sung-jin, Chair of the Just Transition Subcommittee, and other subcommittee members participated.

The committee explained the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario and presented social tasks including △establishing an institutional foundation △fair and just transition △technological innovation and investment expansion △strengthening public awareness improvement through education, promotion, and communication.

From the industrial perspective, key policies included △fostering and supporting the industrial ecosystem △promoting investment in technology development and facility improvement △encouraging market-driven greenhouse gas reduction efforts such as emissions trading schemes and green finance △minimizing damage such as job losses.

The Korea Federation of SMEs conveyed the SME sector's opinions related to carbon neutrality.

Yang Chan-hoe, Head of the Innovation Growth Division at the Korea Federation of SMEs, stated, "According to recent survey results, more than half of SMEs recognize carbon neutrality, but only 15% have actually established response strategies," highlighting the industry's limited capacity to respond.

By industry, they proposed △preparatory measures to address electricity rate increases △introduction of a delivery price linkage system due to carbon tax and raw material price rises △expansion of support for carbon reduction facilities and technologies △measures to mitigate damage from business transformation (restructuring) △expansion of financial and tax support for SMEs.

Chairman Kim emphasized, "Complete carbon neutrality can only be achieved with the participation of SMEs, which account for 99% of our economy," and added, "Customized support policies by industry and scale are necessary so that our SME sector can also prepare for the new paradigm of carbon neutrality."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.