South Korea Targets 61% Emissions Cut and Complete Coal Phase-Out
Affiliate Disclosure
Hey fellow impactful ninja ?
You may have noticed that Impactful Ninja is all about providing helpful information to make a positive impact on the world and society. And that we love to link back to where we found all the information for each of our posts.
Most of these links are informational-based for you to check out their primary sources with one click.
But some of these links are so-called "affiliate links" to products that we recommend.
Why do we add these product links?
First and foremost, because we believe that they add value to you. For example, when we wrote a post about the environmental impact of long showers, we came across an EPA recommendation to use WaterSense showerheads. So we linked to where you can find them. Or, for many of our posts, we also link to our favorite books on that topic so that you can get a much more holistic overview than one single blog post could provide.
And when there is an affiliate program for these products, we sign up for it. For example, as Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.
What do these affiliate links mean for you?
First, and most importantly, we still only recommend products that we believe add value for you.
When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission - but at no additional costs to you.
And when you buy something through a link that is not an affiliate link, we won’t receive any commission but we’ll still be happy to have helped you.
What do these affiliate links mean for us?
When we find products that we believe add value to you and the seller has an affiliate program, we sign up for it.
When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra costs to you).
And at this point in time, all money is reinvested in sharing the most helpful content with you. This includes all operating costs for running this site and the content creation itself.
What does this mean for me personally?
You may have noticed by the way Impactful Ninja is operated that money is not the driving factor behind it. It is a passion project of mine and I love to share helpful information with you to make a positive impact on the world and society. However, it's a project in that I invest a lot of time and also quite some money.
Eventually, my dream is to one day turn this passion project into my full-time job and provide even more helpful information. But that's still a long time to go.
Stay impactful,
At Impactful Ninja, we curate positive and impactful news for you. Follow us on Google News or sign up for our free newsletter to get these delivered straight to your inbox—just like our expert roundup below!
📰 The quick summary: South Korea has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61% relative to 2018 levels and phasing out unabated coal plants, accelerating Asia’s energy transition toward renewables and nuclear power.
📈 One key stat: South Korea will reduce emissions to between 290 and 349 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035, representing a 53-61% cut from 2018 levels.
💬 One key quote: “The government signaled that new unabated coal construction will halt, while renewable energy and nuclear power will form the backbone of the future electricity mix, with gas as a backup.“
1️⃣ The big picture: South Korea has announced its most ambitious climate plan to date at COP30, committing to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 53-61% from 2018 levels by 2035. The comprehensive strategy includes phasing out unabated coal power plants, with 40 of 61 existing plants scheduled for closure by 2040. Simultaneously, the country is strengthening its Emissions Trading Scheme by reducing free allowances for power generation from 15% to 50% by 2030. This multi-pronged approach combines market mechanisms with direct regulations to drive the nation’s clean energy transition, positioning South Korea as a leader in Asia’s decarbonization efforts.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: These climate commitments represent a significant acceleration in South Korea’s decarbonization timeline, providing clear market signals for investment in clean energy. By joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance, South Korea becomes one of the first major Asian economies to commit to phasing out unabated coal power. The strengthened emissions trading system creates economic incentives for businesses to adopt low-carbon technologies faster. The planned transition to renewable energy and nuclear power will substantially reduce air pollution while creating new jobs in clean energy sectors. These actions from a major industrial economy demonstrate that economic growth can be decoupled from fossil fuel consumption.
3️⃣ What’s next: South Korea must now develop detailed implementation plans for its coal phase-out timeline and renewable energy expansion. The government will need to ensure a just transition for workers and communities dependent on the coal industry. Financial institutions and businesses will align their strategies with these new climate goals, directing capital toward clean energy investments.
Read the full story here: Carbon Herald – COP30: South Korea Commits To Cutting Emissions By Up To 61% And Halting Unabated Coal
