KBIZ calls for stronger ESG support for South Korean SMEs as carbon regulations tighten

South Korea's small and medium enterprises are struggling to keep up with carbon neutrality policies and ESG disclosure rules. The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (KBIZ) held its first Environment and ESG Committee meeting to address these challenges. Presentations covered ESG trends for SMEs, carbon emissions data management, and green finance options under Korea's green taxonomy. Participants noted that government carbon neutrality targets are moving faster than SME capacity to respond. They called for tailored support by industry and company size. KBIZ chairperson Lee Sang-hoon warned that only SMEs that adapt to ESG and supply chain due diligence requirements will survive. The article highlights the gap between policy ambition and on-the-ground readiness in South Korea's decarbonization push.