The environment Ministers of Korea, China and Japan promised to hold climate policy talks on a regular basis starting next year.
The Ministry of Environment said on the 28th that the three countries agreed on this plan at the 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting held in Yantai, Shandong province, China, for two days starting on the 27th. The meeting was attended by Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Environment; Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China; and Asao Keiichiro, Minister of the Environment of Japan.
Korea, China and Japan agreed to advance the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting, which had focused on cooperation in environmental policy such as improving air quality and conserving biodiversity, and to greatly strengthen cooperation in the climate sector going forward.
Minister Kim said at the meeting, "Korea, China and Japan account for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions," adding, "Cooperation on climate response among the three countries will play an important role in achieving global carbon neutrality."
To that end, the three countries agreed to institutionalize climate policy talks starting next year and to strengthen cooperation on carbon markets and carbon labeling. They also discussed major climate issues, including the 2035 national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) and measures to respond to climate disasters.
At the Korea-China bilateral meeting held before the main session, the two countries shared the results of air quality improvements under the Blue Sky (晴天, clear sky) Plan signed in 2022. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on pending issues, including responding to the climate crisis and plastic pollution, centered on the Korea-China Environmental Cooperation Center established in Beijing in 2018.
At the Korea-Japan bilateral meeting, in connection with Japan's emissions trading system (ETS) to be implemented next year, they shared Korea's experience with the carbon market and discussed cooperation in the field of biodiversity, including responses to invasive alien species and protection of internationally endangered species.
In his closing remarks, Minister Kim said, "Korea, China and Japan have overcome past challenges together through environmental cooperation, and now, in the face of the civilizational task of the climate crisis, have pledged new actions," adding, "I hope today's agreements and commitments will become the foundation for leading the green transition not only in Northeast Asia but around the world."