South Korea Sets Ambitious 2035 Emissions Target at 53–61% Reduction, Signaling Global Climate Commitment
South Korea has agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 53 to 61 percent below 2018 levels by 2035, a move analysts say strengthens the country’s role in international climate efforts. The target, to be formally announced at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil, positions South Korea among leading Asian economies committing to aggressive carbon cuts aligned with limiting global warming to 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
The 53 percent lower bound represents a pathway consistent with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while the 61 percent upper bound meets Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommendations to keep the probability of exceeding 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit below 50 percent. Observers say this range signals a stronger commitment than the government’s earlier proposals and incorporates some input from civil society groups advocating for more ambitious reductions.
For the U.S. and international investors, the new target has practical implications. South Korea links its emissions target directly to its domestic emissions trading system, meaning companies—including foreign firms operating there—will face tighter limits on emission permits. Analysts note that sectors such as energy, industry, and transportation will need substantial restructuring. Electricity sector emissions are projected to fall nearly 69 percent, industrial emissions 24 percent, and transport emissions 60 percent compared with 2018 levels. Achieving these goals will require quadrupling renewable and nuclear energy capacity and ensuring that 70 percent of new cars sold are electric or hydrogen-powered by 2035.
The revised target reflects a compromise between industry concerns and environmental advocacy. While some business groups argue that even a 48 percent reduction is challenging, environmental groups say a 65 percent cut is necessary given South Korea’s emissions profile. Analysts predict that the lower bound of 53 percent will serve as the practical benchmark for policy and regulatory implementation, including emissions permit allocations.
By adopting a more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) — its official emissions reduction pledge under the Paris Agreement — South Korea is signaling to the global community, including the United States, that it aims to bring its economic and energy policies closer in line with international climate goals.
The decision also underscores the importance of regional cooperation in Asia to achieve global climate targets, with potential effects on supply chains, trade, and investment for U.S. companies operating in the region.
The finalized target will be ratified through deliberation by South Korea’s Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth and the Cabinet before its international announcement.
