Lee Hoeseong, Chairman of CF Union, "Decarbonization, a Growth Opportunity for Heavy Chemical-Strong Korea"

Lee Hoeseong, the inaugural president of the CF Federation, is talking with reporters at a press conference held on the 24th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jeong Donghoon

"Fear alone about the climate crisis will not lead to 'climate action.' There needs to be a perception of it as an opportunity for growth."

Climate change expert Lee Hoe-sung, the inaugural chairman of the Carbon-Free (CF) Alliance, said this on the 24th at a press conference held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to mark the launch of the CF Alliance. He emphasized that an era has arrived where reducing carbon emissions is an opportunity for economic growth. Chairman Lee served as vice-chairman for 7 years and chairman for 8 years at the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC was jointly established in 1998 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to address climate change.

The CF Alliance is a private-led platform aimed at the international spread of carbon-free energy (CFE), which does not emit carbon directly during electricity production, and at bridging the climate gap between developed and developing countries. Discussions on its establishment accelerated after President Yoon Suk-yeol proposed its formation in his keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly last month. Following its inaugural general meeting on the 12th, it will officially launch as a non-profit corporation on the 27th of this month. The CF Alliance held its founding general meeting on the 12th and will officially launch on the 27th. The CF Alliance includes 14 companies and institutions such as the government, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, POSCO, LG Chem, and Korea Electric Power Corporation.

He emphasized private sector participation. "We plan to gather the consensus of companies participating in the CF Alliance to propose policy and institutional improvements to the government," he said, adding, "We will establish a mid- to long-term vision and play a role in spreading consensus when opportunities arise to meet with major countries around the world." He also stated, "Korea has a higher level of consensus than any other country on the need to respond quickly to climate change," and added, "I am confident that the industrial sector will have an opportunity to once again show the world the 'Miracle on the Han River' through climate change."

He stressed that for a decarbonized society, all decarbonized energy sources are necessary, including renewable energy such as wind and solar power, as well as nuclear and hydrogen. He also said, "To achieve decarbonization, all technologies must be embraced; no technology should be preferred or excluded," emphasizing, "Therefore, the government's role is the most important, and among government roles, investing in research and development (R&D) is the most crucial." Furthermore, he added, "The CF Alliance will welcome all technologies that can minimize and reduce carbon emissions to zero," and "We will incorporate all technologies that can prevent global warming so that our country can lead the world in this field."

He also viewed Korea's role in the international decarbonization era as important. He said, "Korea is a country that stands out in heavy chemical industries such as steel, cement, and petrochemicals, which emit the most carbon," adding, "If new technologies to reduce carbon in these sectors are secured, it could be an opportunity to dominate the global heavy chemical industry." He continued, "Korea has a higher level of consensus than any other country on the need to respond quickly to climate change," and added, "I am confident that the industrial sector will have an opportunity to once again show the world the 'Miracle on the Han River' through climate change."

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