[Activity] Chairman Jai-chul Choi Engages in Policy Dialogue with the Ministry of Government Legislation, Emphasizes Strengthening Climate Governance > 게시글

On September 24, Chairman Jai-chul Choi of the Climate Change Center participated in an on-site policy dialogue with the Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG), hosted at the Center’s headquarters. As Korea’s first NGO dedicated to climate action, the Center convened this meeting with Commissioner Won-cheol Cho and other MOLEG officials to explore legal and institutional reforms that can enhance the country’s climate governance framework.

In his remarks, Chairman Choi proposed four key areas for improvement. He stressed the need to legally expand the role of local governments under the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, thereby strengthening cooperative mechanisms between central and local authorities. He also underscored the importance of enacting a Voluntary Carbon Market Trust and Activation Act to enhance credibility and broaden participation from municipalities, businesses, and the private sector. Further, he recommended integrating climate change and carbon neutrality provisions into agricultural, fisheries, and food-related legislation to address climate risks and safeguard food security. Lastly, he emphasized the need to revise provisions that allow the omission of local committee reviews, ensuring that climate policies at the municipal level undergo sufficient scrutiny while creating alternative mechanisms such as national-level committee reviews.

MOLEG expressed strong sympathy with the intent and necessity of the proposals and confirmed its willingness to consult with relevant ministries and explore possible legislative improvements. The dialogue highlighted the role of the Climate Change Center as a neutral and public-interest platform that channels on-the-ground perspectives into actionable policy reform. Chairman Choi concluded by stressing: “In the era of climate crisis, ensuring the coherence and credibility of our legal and institutional frameworks is paramount to delivering effective policy outcomes. Korea’s climate legislation must align with global trends and serve as a foundation for a truly sustainable society.”