AGP Executive Report

Circular Economy: Seoul has 126 public repair programs, but scattered information makes them hard to use, undermining efforts to repair rather than discard everyday items. Clean Energy: South Korea is the market where the most RE100 companies report barriers to buying renewable electricity. Offshore wind projects also face lengthy permitting, with administrative reviews adding years before construction. Climate Risks: Pacific temperatures hit a September record, raising concern that a potentially exceptional El Niño could intensify extreme weather across Asia. Nature: Inditex is putting €3 million into South Korean tidal-flat restoration, while Yuhan-Kimberly is planting endangered Korean firs in Baekdudaegan. Pine wilt disease, meanwhile, is ravaging national parks nationwide.

Climate: Pacific sea temperatures reached a record in the key El Niño monitoring region in September, raising fears that an exceptionally strong event could intensify extreme weather. Asia-Pacific experts are urging better preparation and a faster energy transition. Cleaner Ports: DP World has put 55 electric yard tractors into service at Busan’s terminal, replacing LNG-powered vehicles. The company expects each tractor to cut CO₂ emissions by about 70%. Wetland Protection: Goyang has been named South Korea’s candidate for Ramsar Wetland City status, bringing attention to the protection of urban wetlands. Waste and Forests: Private waste handling in Seoul has reportedly jumped 3.2-fold as the landfill ban outpaces incineration capacity, while pine wilt disease is ravaging national parks nationwide. Both trends put pressure on how the country manages waste and protects ecosystems.

Marine Warming: A dusky shark trapped in a Busan canal has drawn huge crowds and renewed concern about shifting marine conditions. South Korea’s weather service says sea-surface temperatures around the peninsula rose 0.7°C over the past decade, more than twice the global average. Fisheries: South Korea is launching quarterly ocean forecasts as pollock disappears and squid catches have reportedly plunged 90%, sharpening concerns about climate pressures on marine life and fishing communities. Coastal Conservation: Zara’s owner, Inditex, is putting €3 million into Korean tidal-flat restoration, while Goyang is seeking Ramsar Wetland City status. Clean Energy: South Korea’s offshore wind sector faces long development timelines: developers say projects can take a decade to build, compared with four years in China. Waste: Seoul’s private waste handling has jumped 3.2-fold as a landfill ban advances, highlighting the challenge of keeping disposal capacity in step with the policy shift.

Wetland Protection: Goyang has been named a domestic candidate for Ramsar Wetland City status, with international accreditation sought in 2028. Its Janghang Wetland is a key habitat where Han River freshwater meets Yellow Sea tides. Changing Seas: South Korea has launched quarterly ocean forecasts as pollock disappear and squid catches collapse, offering a clearer picture of mounting pressure on marine life and fisheries. Forest Conservation: Yuhan-Kimberly and Baekdudaegan National Arboretum planted 500 Korean fir saplings in an off-site conservation forest. The endangered native tree’s Mount Halla forest has shrunk by nearly half in about a century, with climate change contributing to habitat decline. Circular Packaging: Aromatica became the first listed South Korean company to earn B Corp certification, highlighting its recycled-plastic packaging and refill efforts; it says its collection campaign has gathered 22.5 tonnes of clear PET.

Marine Outlook: South Korea has launched quarterly ocean forecasts as pollock vanish and squid catches collapse by 90%, highlighting mounting pressure on fisheries. At the Yeosu Expo, island residents are also being trained as marine educators. Climate Watch: Signs point to an intense El Niño, raising fresh concerns across Asia. Nature and Carbon: SK Innovation is expanding its Vietnam mangrove restoration project to 200 hectares, while South Korea plans to launch an international carbon market next year. Youth and Climate: Eunpyeong’s youth forum will include discussions on the climate crisis.

Climate and Health: South Korea scored just 4 out of 32 in a new review of how national climate plans protect public health, placing it among the weakest performers assessed. Energy Policy: A public panel weighing nuclear power will treat existing renewable targets and already-sited reactors as fixed, narrowing what citizens can debate as electricity demand rises. Arctic Shipping: South Korea’s first Arctic container voyage has completed its trial, but routes opened by melting sea ice carry environmental costs and uncertain commercial prospects. Clean Energy: South Korea is backing solar, storage and grid upgrades with a reported $747 billion, and plans to launch an international carbon market next year. Nature and Heat Risks: Pine wilt disease is ravaging national parks, while heat-illness cases have fallen even as deaths rose 24%.

Arctic Shipping: South Korea’s first commercial round trip to Europe via the Arctic has ended. President Lee Jae Myung says Seoul will pursue the route cautiously and follow international sanctions, as shrinking sea ice opens new shipping lanes with climate costs. Forest Health: Pine wilt disease is ravaging national parks across the country, raising concerns for forests and biodiversity. Waste and Recycling: Seoul’s Jongno District will issue illustrated recycling guides in Korean, English and Chinese to help residents sort waste and reduce illegal dumping. Clean Energy: South Korea has announced a 100-gigawatt renewable-energy target for 2030, alongside a large green-industry investment plan.

Forest Health: Pine wilt disease is ravaging national parks across South Korea, raising concerns for forests and biodiversity. Waste Pressure: Seoul’s private waste handling has jumped 3.2-fold as the landfill ban outpaces incinerator capacity, intensifying pressure to manage rubbish locally. Climate Outlook: Forecasts point to a warmer-than-usual winter in South Korea, which could ease energy demand but reflects the wider influence of a severe El Niño. Clean Energy: South Korea is backing a major green-industry shift, with plans for solar, storage and grid expansion; an island is also racing to move from blackout risks to carbon-free power. Nature Restoration: SK Innovation plans to help restore 200 hectares of mangroves in Vietnam by 2030, combining ecosystem recovery with local community involvement.

Waste and Landfill Pressure: Seoul’s private waste handling has jumped 3.2-fold as the landfill ban outpaces incineration capacity, sharpening questions about how the city will manage rubbish. Climate Resilience: Gyeongbuk is testing Starlink on a fire-command vehicle to keep crews connected when wildfires, heavy rain or typhoons knock out mobile networks. Korea reported fewer heat-illness cases but 24% more deaths, underscoring the need to protect people from extreme heat. Clean Energy Policy: South Korea plans to launch an international carbon market next year and replace its renewable-energy quota system with auctions, while a national strategy aims to add 100 GW of renewable power by 2030. Urban Nature: Seoul will open Bugaksan’s final restricted trail on Oct. 17, completing public access to the mountain after nearly 59 years.

Regional Air Quality: ASEAN foreign ministers plan to address transboundary haze next month, a persistent pollution threat across Southeast Asia. Seoul Circular Design: A festival at Dongdaemun Design Plaza is showcasing 37 products made with recycled materials from 20 small businesses through Oct. 25. Clean-Energy Policy: South Korea plans to launch an international carbon market next year and replace its renewable-energy quota system with auctions; a broader plan aims to add 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. Heat Risks: Heat-illness cases fell in Korea, but deaths rose 24%, underscoring the challenge of protecting people during extreme heat. Wildlife: Seoul Grand Park will introduce the country’s first red panda twins born through natural breeding to visitors on Oct. 14.

Renewable Energy: South Korea has proposed replacing renewable-power quotas with an auction-based contract market from Jan. 1, 2027. KEPCO would sign long-term fixed-price deals, with bids judged on cost, community acceptance, domestic industry benefits and grid impact. The country also plans to add 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. Heat Risks: Heat-illness cases fell in South Korea, but deaths rose 24%, underscoring the dangers of extreme heat. Arctic Shipping: A South Korean cargo ship completed a trial voyage on the Arctic route, made more accessible by melting sea ice. Increased traffic could bring environmental risks to fragile polar waters.

Extreme Heat: South Korea recorded fewer heat-related illnesses this summer, but estimated deaths rose 24% to 36. People aged 80 and over accounted for nearly half, underscoring the risks to older residents. Carbon Markets: The government plans to launch a global verified carbon market next year, with separate rules for credits approved for international transfer and those that are not. Arctic Shipping: The PanStar Acro completed a trial voyage via the Northern Sea Route, cutting about 10 days off the one-way trip to Europe. Environmental advocates warn more traffic could worsen ice loss. Arctic Safeguards: Busan Port Authority called for clean-fuel facilities, shore power and shared ice and weather data as shipping interest grows. Green Transition: South Korea has unveiled a 475 trillion won green industrial strategy and plans to add 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.

Arctic Shipping: The PanStar Acro completed a trial voyage between Busan and Europe via Russia’s Northern Sea Route, opened by shrinking sea ice. The shorter route could speed trade, but environmental advocates warn more traffic may worsen ice loss and disrupt fragile ecosystems. Green Transition: South Korea is pursuing a sweeping green-industry push, including investment in solar power, energy storage and grid upgrades, alongside a broader 1,000-trillion-won transition goal by 2035. Battery Innovation: Researchers at KRICT and partner universities developed a solvent-free thick cathode additive that helps lithium ions move through the electrode, potentially boosting battery power. Climate Accountability: Climate lawsuits are gaining momentum as governments ease back on climate policies. International court opinions affirming states’ climate obligations build on South Korea’s 2024 Constitutional Court ruling, which required stronger emissions targets.

Marine Life: South Korea lifted all jellyfish alerts after 136 days. Removals totaled 2,161 tonnes, down 38.7% from last year, as surveys found the risk of further fisheries damage had eased. Environmental Oversight: Nearly nine in 10 Korean environmental investigators have less than two years’ experience, raising questions about the capacity behind enforcement. Clean Energy: Seoul’s green-industry push backs solar, storage and grid expansion, alongside a target of 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030. A South Korean island is also working toward carbon-free power. Regional Emissions: Asia’s coal imports could rebound as coal remains far cheaper than LNG, potentially slowing the shift away from high-emission fuels.

Environmental Enforcement: Nearly 9 in 10 of South Korea’s 82 environmental investigators have less than two years’ experience, raising concerns about capacity as they handle hundreds of cases a year. Marine Watch: The government lifted all jellyfish alerts after 136 days; removals fell 38.7% from last year, with officials planning to review this season’s response. Energy Transition: South Korea is backing a sweeping shift toward clean energy, with plans for major investment in solar, storage and grid infrastructure, alongside a carbon-free drive on one island. Carbon Storage: Officials have mapped three possible undersea CO₂ storage sites in the Yellow Sea. Sustainable Dining: Conrad Seoul is showcasing certified farmed and wild seafood, cage-free eggs and plant-based dishes, as responsible sourcing remains uncommon in Korean kitchens.

Climate: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest on record, with January–September also ranking second-highest. Clean Energy: South Korea is backing a major shift toward solar, batteries and grid expansion, while an island is racing to move from blackout-prone power to carbon-free electricity. Wildlife: DNA tests found meat from protected whales at Busan restaurants, raising fresh concerns about illegal trade. Waste: Franchise chains used 1.09 billion disposable cups last year as Korea’s rules on single-use items remain unsettled.