South Korea's ruling and opposition parties have reached a compromise to amend the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, setting mid-term greenhouse gas reduction targets as ranges rather than single figures. The amendment covers 2035 (53-61% below 2018 levels), 2040 (69-80%), and 2045 (84-90%), addressing a legal gap identified by the Constitutional Court in 2024. The lower end follows a linear reduction path to 2050 carbon neutrality, while the upper end aligns with the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree Celsius goal. The amendment also requires the government to consider impacts on vulnerable populations, scientific standards, and technology availability when setting targets. It strengthens administrative and financial support for industry R&D, facility investment, and commercialization of emission reduction technologies. The bill is expected to pass the plenary session next month, nearly two years after the court ruling.
