[The Hwankyung Ilbo] Carbon neutrality in 2050 is no longer a matter of choice, but of how to achieve it. With countries that produce more than 70% of the world's GDP participating in carbon neutrality, Korea, being the world's 11th largest carbon emitter, cannot be an exception.

However, it is difficult for Korea to set an ambitious carbon reduction target unlike the EU. Due to the country's industrial structure that is very disadvantageous to carbon neutrality. Korea's carbon-emitting industrial structure is more focused on manufacturing than Germany, which is also a manufacturing powerhouse.

Nevertheless, if carbon neutrality is to be achieved, it is time for a "just transition" to embrace more people, and discussions on it should be more active. 

The Economic and Humanities Research Council (NRC, Chairman Jung Hae-gu) and the Korea Environmental Policy and Evaluation Institute (KEI) held the "2050 Carbon Neutral Policy Forum: Transition to a Carbon Neutral Society through Empathy, Participation, and Practice." on the 30th of June. 

The forum was organized by institutes affiliated with the research group to consider short-term and priority solutions to carbon neutrality-related challenges and to discuss the roles of governments, businesses, and citizens in carbon neutrality.