Decarbonization Policy Cooperation among China, Japan and South Korea toward Carbon Neutrality in East Asia

This study investigates the projected carbon dioxide emission pathways of major East Asian economies—primarily China, Japan, and South Korea—using the IEEJ Outlook 2025 as a reference framework. It further assesses the progress of national decarbonization policies in these countries in relation to their stated mid-century carbon neutrality targets. The analysis highlights the urgent need for more ambitious climate and energy strategies, particularly the full-scale implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes, as well as proactive policy support to catalyze decarbonization-related investments. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of enhancing regional cooperation on climate policy across East Asia. It advocates the establishment of a shared East Asian carbon market, the phased introduction of a regional emissions trading system, and the development of a cross-border super grid to facilitate the large-scale integration of renewable energy. To institutionalize and sustain such collaborative efforts, this study proposes the creation of an independent intergovernmental body—provisionally named the East Asia Energy and Environment Agency (EAEEA)—that would lead initiatives for regional energy and environmental cooperation.