South Korea's Climate Action Plan Overhaul Mandated by Constitutional Court

South Korea's Constitutional Court has mandated the government to back its climate targets with concrete plans through 2049. This partial victory for climate activists stems from the court's ruling on four cases submitted by 254 plaintiffs. They argued that current and post-2030 carbon emission goals lacked sufficient implementation strategies.

South Korea's Constitutional Court on Thursday directed the government to reinforce its climate goals with detailed action plans extending through 2049. This decision marks a partial win for climate activists, who contend that the nation's slow progress in reducing emissions infringes upon their rights.

The court, which evaluates the constitutionality of laws, made this determination during its ruling on four distinct climate cases brought by 254 plaintiffs. Many of these plaintiffs were children or teenagers when they initiated their complaints against the government and lawmakers back in 2020.

The plaintiffs argued that South Korea's 2030 target of a 35% reduction in carbon emissions from 2018 levels is insufficient to curb climate change impacts. They also highlighted the absence of post-2031 emission reduction plans despite the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The court, while not mandating a more ambitious 2030 target, upheld the need for a detailed 2031-2049 plan and ordered legislative changes by 2026.

(With inputs from agencies.)