Korean and Chinese Carbon Neutrality Strategies: Comparative Analysis and Implications for Policy

As action to respond to the climate crisis galvanizes globally, carbon neutrality, the circular economy and sustainable development are emerging as key concepts for structural socioeconomic transformation. Countries around the world, led by Europe, are now establishing policies and related institutions for carbon neutrality. In pursuing carbon neutrality — which refers to zero net carbon emissions — countries around the world are considering ways to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using carbon sinks such as forests and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activity as much as possible. Each country’s carbon neutrality policies contain a core vision, along with more specific goals, strategies, and implementation plans for carbon neutrality. This work identifies the implications for the Korean response to the challenges described previously and for the promotion of carbon neutrality policies by comparing the Korean and Chinese strategies. This study first examines the current status of carbon neutrality policy promotion in Korea and China, and then draws implications for the promotion of carbon neutrality policy in Korea through a comparative analysis of core carbon neutrality policy case studies in the two countries.