As a consequence, many institutions, including Korea University (KU), have added carbon neutrality to their plans to tackle the climate change crisis. One of KU’s most significant actions in relation to climate change was the 2045 Before It’s Too Late Carbon Neutrality Declaration Ceremony. Held on June 21, 2022, in SK Future Hall, the ceremony was attended by top government officials, academics associated with sustainability, and KU staff, faculty, alumni, and students.

Promising Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)

As defined by the European Parliament (EP), carbon neutrality refers to “the balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.” Disproportionate emissions of carbon into the atmosphere are a known cause of extreme weather changes around the globe. The EP also explains that carbon neutrality can be achieved when governments promote investment in renewable energies, the reduction of emissions from certain sectors, the implementation of a carbon tax, and the use of underground storage through carbon sequestration. With its interest in leading research in these areas, KU signed several MOUs and business agreements in June with the Korea Energy Agency, K-water, and the Korea Environment Corporation to expand efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality.

These agreements and MOUs cover five main objectives: cooperation on carbon neutrality policies, the exchange of information regarding carbon neutrality, cooperation on the creation of carbon sinks and renewable energy, cooperation with international organizations, and the creation of clear roles domestically and internationally to achieve these plans. Many important attendees, including the Minister of the Environment Han Hwa-jin, the Chairman of Korea Energy Agency Lee Sang-hoon, former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, delivered messages of support for these objectives.

Past KU Climate Change Policies

Plans previously enacted by KU include installing solar panels on both campuses, providing more funding for science and engineering professors involved in environmental research, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its old buildings. With KU’s annual carbon emissions reaching 100,000 tons, a campaign focused on encouraging all students and faculty members to reduce the use of energy through lighting on campus was launched. However, the KU Student Union (KUSU) has reported that these policies have not been enforced completely nor have they been effectively communicated to undergraduates and graduates.

For this reason, 2045 Before It’s Too Late has become the most important action plan proposed by KU, with it attempts to find solutions to most of its climate change-related problems by encouraging the participation of everyone at KU. This plan is not limited to energy use and renewable energy, but also research cooperation, renovated or new infrastructure, and more extensive environmental campaigns, and it will serve as the basis for improved future policies to offset the production of GHGs by KU. KU will also field criticism and feedback from outside organizations to improve its plans for carbon neutrality. In fact, the Ministry of Environment stated that it “will closely cooperate with the university to adopt a carbon-neutral lifestyle of eco-friendly products and electric/hydrogen cars.”

To gain more insight into the plan, The Granite Tower (GT) asked a master’s student from the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) with expertise in human rights and sustainable development, Jane Seng (’21, International Development and Cooperation), for her opinion on the plan.

GT: Compared to the previous KU policies for combating climate change, how effective is the 2045 Carbon Neutrality Plan?

Seng: With several international environmental organizations headquartered in South Korea, the country is definitely at the forefront of global actions against climate change. Hence, the 2045 Carbon Neutrality Plan is commendable because it demonstrates the university’s alignment with South Korea’s commitment to combatting climate change. While it may be premature to gauge the effectiveness of the neutrality plan because it is only in its beginning stages, I am positive that the plan will bring about considerable improvement because KU has introduced concrete action plans with measurable results. This gives the plan greater transparency and allows the university to periodically evaluate the plan to ensure its success.

GT: Is carbon neutrality a feasible plan or are the pledges just a publicity stunt?

Seng: While I am less optimistic that carbon neutrality can be achieved by 2050 due to the constraints and challenges many countries face, I believe that carbon neutrality is feasible and achievable if certain emissions criteria are met. The urgency of climate change has prompted stronger commitments to reduce carbon emissions and rapid advances in green technologies and has pressured governments and institutions worldwide to adopt more environmentally friendly policies. These are positive steps towards achieving carbon neutrality, both in terms of reducing carbon emissions and offsetting/removing carbon from the atmosphere. Thus, I am hopeful that carbon neutrality can be achieved, although it may not be achieved by every country by 2050.

GT: What are a few methods students can do to reduce carbon emissions and help KU achieve its climate change plan?

Seng: Many young people at the university are passionate about general climate change causes, and I feel that it is important for the university to hear and include their opinions in its climate change plan. Everyone plays a role, and the inclusion of these students and staff members would give them a sense of ownership over the plan’s initiatives. In addition, through education and awareness, KU can also help students become conscious of their carbon footprint so that they can become carbon friendly and adopt actions that can help achieve this plan.