EU-Korea Climate Action Project

On 4 March, 2021, the "Second Youth Frontier for Energy Transition" (hereinafter the Youth Frontier), co-organized by the EU-Korea Climate Action Project and the Energy Transition Forum, held a solutions workshop and graduation ceremony which marked the successful completion of its 2-month journey.  

During two weeks of workshops by experts covering the EU and Korea’s energy and Green New Deal policies, 34 young Koreans learned about the status and key challenges of energy transition in Korea and Europe. The participants later visited renewable energy sites in Korea, learned about the problems with renewable energy projects, and met with key stakeholders to find possible solutions to the problems. The young Koreans presented their solutions at the graduation ceremony summarized as below.

• Communication problems in rural areas on development of large-scale solar power projects
• Renewable energy projects led by local residents
• Improving the building energy efficiency and green remodeling 
• Coal phase-out and Just Transition
• Power market system reformation

A commonly identified problem by the participants was the low level of local acceptance and understanding of renewable energy. To solve this problem, the participants suggested establishing an intermediary procedure between government, businesses and local community to collect different opinions and smoothly resolve conflicts between key stakeholders. For example, one of the groups suggested establishing a local energy center to enhance community’s acceptance of large-scale solar power projects, to ensure implementation of agreements between businesses and communities, provide education, conduct surveys and improve local people’s awareness about renewable energy. Another group proposed the establishment of an independent institution implementing large-scale renewable projects to deliver Korea’s Renewable Portfolio Standards targets. 

During the graduation and award ceremony, all seven participant groups were awarded for their successful completion of the program. Eight outstanding participants who received the most votes from their fellow teammates were also awarded individually for their active participation and enthusiasm.