Interview with Choi Jae-chul: Building a More Inclusive Approach to Climate and Energy Policy
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In an interview with Bridgenews in August, Choi Jae-chul, Chairman of Climate Change Center, discussed the importance of dialogue, participation, and partnership in addressing the social challenges of the energy transition.
As the deployment of renewable energy accelerates, he noted that conflicts among local communities, governments, industry, and other stakeholders are likely to grow—not only around renewable energy facilities, but also in the development of transmission networks and substations. He emphasized that these conflicts should not be addressed through top-down decisions, but through broad partnerships and participatory processes that bring diverse perspectives into the conversation.
Chairman Choi stressed that citizen participation should go beyond a formal process for legitimizing policy decisions. He highlighted the value of deliberative forums, such as Denmark’s citizen assemblies, where people from different backgrounds can engage in meaningful dialogue and work toward common ground.
He also emphasized the importance of ensuring that those affected by climate and energy policies—including young people, older adults, and people with disabilities—are adequately represented in decision-making.
Read the full interview in Korean [here].
