Universities Take the Lead in Carbon Neutrality... "Sustainable Campus Creation" National Assembly Forum Successfully Concludes

The Korea Sustainable Campus Association announced on the 20th that it had successfully held the "3rd National Assembly Forum on Creating Carbon Neutral Campuses" on the 16th at Seminar Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

The Korea Sustainable Campus Association held the "3rd National Assembly Forum on Creating Carbon Neutral Campuses" on the 16th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Seminar Room 2, and is taking a commemorative photo. Provided by the Korea Sustainable Campus Association

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This forum was co-hosted by Assembly members Kang Deukgu, Kim Sungwon, Kim Kyohung, Jung Hyekyung, Kim Sohui, Jin Sunmi, Kang Kyungsook, Park Jihye, Yeom Taeyoung, Lee Soyoung, Lee Jaekang, and Jung Eulho. It was organized by the Korea Sustainable Campus Association and the Korea Climate & Environment Network, with sponsorship from Samin System Co., Ltd., Haesung Engineering Co., Ltd., and others.

The purpose of this forum was to explore strategies for universities to respond to climate change and create carbon neutral campuses, establishing them as spaces that realize the values of social justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. With more than 100 stakeholders and university students in attendance, in-depth discussions were held on developing sustainable operation models and indicators to strengthen universities' social responsibility and international competitiveness.

Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, delivered a congratulatory message in writing, stating, "This forum is a valuable opportunity to share various ideas and strategies for creating sustainable carbon neutral campuses. I hope it will serve as a platform for communication to explore policy and financial support measures together, and I will strive to ensure that participants' opinions are reflected in government policy."

Assemblyman Kim Sungwon emphasized, "The climate crisis is a matter of survival, and university campuses are key spaces for a sustainable future. If we unite as one from this forum until the day we reach our goals, we can build a Korea that responds wisely to this prolonged crisis."

Assemblyman Kang Deukgu added, "I hope this forum will establish universities as key players leading carbon neutrality. In responding to the climate crisis, the role of universities should go beyond that of educational institutions and become a milestone that points the way toward a sustainable society."

The event was divided into two parts: the first part included congratulatory remarks and a commemorative photo, and the second part featured presentations and a comprehensive discussion. The forum began with a presentation by Professor Shin Jaehyuk of Korea University on the topic of "Case Study of University Sustainability Reports," followed by successful case studies and presentations by experts in fields such as sustainable energy, environmental protection, and climate policy.

Presentations included: Analysis of Sustainability Indicator Guidelines (Professor Lee Changon, Korea Society for Sustainable Development), Application and Expansion Strategies for Sustainability Indicators (Seo Jungho, Senior Researcher, Korea Productivity Center Certification Institute), Analysis of the Linkage between University Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability (Moon Yunseop, Director, Chungbuk Carbon Neutrality Support Center), and Survey Results on University Students' Awareness of Carbon Neutral Campuses (Yoo Haeun, Korea University; Lee Sua, Sookmyung Women's University).

The comprehensive discussion in the second part was chaired by Professor Hong Jongho (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University), with participation from officials of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Environment, representatives from related organizations, and leaders of the University Student Climate Action group. They discussed a wide range of perspectives on ESG management, SDGs linkage strategies, and the establishment of collaborative systems among the public, private, and academic sectors.

Kang Sungjong, President of the Korea Sustainable Campus Association, stated, "This forum was a meaningful occasion to concretely explore directions for university carbon neutrality strategies and the establishment of sustainability indicators, and to propose practical measures that can contribute to achieving the national carbon neutrality goal."

It is expected that, starting with this forum, universities will strengthen their climate response capabilities in cooperation with local communities, and that the establishment of sustainable campus models capable of contributing to the achievement of the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC 65%) by 2035 will be fully underway.

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