South Korea’s National Assembly Climate Crisis Committee has approved amendments to the country’s carbon neutrality law that would establish legally binding GHG reduction targets for 2035, 2040 and 2045, following a Constitutional Court ruling that the existing post-2030 pathway lacked a legal basis (Seoul Economic Daily, 22/07/2026).
The revised framework sets emissions reduction ranges relative to 2018 levels of 53-61% by 2035, 69-80% by 2040, and 84-90% by 2045. The lower bound follows a linear pathway towards the country’s 2050 carbon neutrality target, while the upper bound is aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C objective. The lower-bound trajectory will serve as the reference for policies such as South Korea’s emissions trading scheme.
The legislation would also require the government to consider scientific evidence, international standards, sectoral implementation conditions and climate-vulnerable groups when setting future targets. In addition, it provides a legal basis for financial and administrative support for low-carbon technologies, facility investments and commercialisation.
The proposal is expected to proceed through the relevant parliamentary committees before a final vote. South Korea currently targets a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 2018 levels and carbon neutrality by 2050.
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