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EU Climate Change Outreach Project in Korea
A project funded by the European Union 2016-2017
NEWS RELEASE
Event Summary
For immediate release
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY:
REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORT IN EU AND KOREA
On 28 September, the EU Delegation to Korea hosted a roundtable seminar titled
Sustainable Mobility: Reducing Emissions from Transport in EU and Korea at JW Marriott
Dongdaemun from 09:30-12:00, attended by Dr Joëlle Hivonnet, Deputy Head of the EU
Delegation to the Republic of Korea, officials from EU Member States embassies,
academics, industry and policy experts.
The half-day roundtable provided an opportunity to learn and review the status for lowcarbon mobility options among experts and policymakers, aiming at policy impact on the
transport sector both in Korea and the EU. The mobility/transport sector accounts for a
significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Korea (approx. 20%) and the EU
(23%).
Opening the roundtable, H. E. Dr Gerhard Sabathil, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation
sent a message that expressed his wishes for Korea’s ratification of the Paris Agreement in
the near future. His message also stressed the importance of swift action as the mobility
sector is the only area where GHG emissions have actually increased in Europe. As a way of
achieving emissions reduction targets, he suggested stakeholders discuss cutting-edge
ideas which would ultimately bring about the technological revolution. His message was
concluded with a call for more awareness and action. “The goal of the EU is to cut emissions
by 40%, but we hope public awareness on climate change will increase by 100%,” said
Ambassador Sabathil.
Subsequently, Dr Joëlle Hivonnet, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of
Korea presented the European Strategy for low-emission mobility. In October 2014,
recognising the urgency for GHGs reduction, the EU set a binding domestic emissions
reduction targets of at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 across all sectors of the
economy. To meet this ambitious goal, the transport sector would need to reduce emissions
by 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 (Source: European Commission).
In this regard, Dr Hivonnet presented three main areas of focus in the European strategy.
First objective is the higher efficiency of the transportation system. The EU is developing
measures to incorporate digital technologies not only for safety but also for correct price
signals. For instance, fuelling systems based on actual kilometres driven will help implement
the principle of “polluter pays.” The EU Commission is updating transport-related directives
to differentiate vehicles by CO2 emissions and by passenger cars and buses/coaches.
Another important area is to increase the use of low-emission alternative energy sources.
Transport in the EU still depends on oil for 94% of its energy needs, which is much higher
EU Climate Change Outreach Project in Korea
A project funded by the European Union 2016-2017
than other sectors. It is another focus area for EU industries. Finally, the European strategy
is keen on zero-emission vehicles for the future transport. Currently, the EU tries to enable
policy measures to support this transition including the Digital Single Market strategy and the
Energy Union strategy.
Following the EU low-carbon mobility strategy, Dr Young-Tae Kim, Deputy Director-General
at Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport outlined Korea’s policy for GHG reduction in
the mobility sector. Korea has developed various measures to reduce GHGs in transport
since the Sustainable Transport & Logistics Development Act of 2009. Currently, Korea aims
to reduce 37% reduction of GHGs compared to business-as-usual (BAU). The transport
sector would cut emissions by 24.6% over the same period and equivalent to 25.9 MtCo2e
(Million metric tons of CO2 equivalent). More specifically, Dr Kim presented major
reduction strategies including “Green Car” promotion up to 30% by 2030; improving fuel
efficiency from 17.3km/L now to 24.3km/L by 2020; and active demand management.
The second session focused on electric vehicles in light of technology and business strategy.
Myungsic Chegal, EV Charging Infrastructure Manager at BMW Korea, presented BMW’s
experience in building EV infrastructure in the Korean market. In addition to EV’s low- to
zero-emission features, EV makers have made progress in emissions reduction by utilising
alternative energy in production and adopting new materials. Still, foreign EV makers often
face regulatory huddles – most notably, different charging standards for electric vehicles. For
instance, the dominant charging system in Korea has been incompatible to the Combined
Charging Systems in Europe and in America. However, from 2018, the charging standard in
Korea will be harmonised with the current European and American standard system. “More
European EVs will be accessible in the Korean market and it will create a more competitive
but ultimately a more developed and larger EV market here,” said Chegal. He also
emphasised the importance of a long-term approach. For example, BMW Korea has installed
more than 400 chargers in cooperation with e-Mart, in order to expand the EV market size in
Korea.
Finally, Professor Namsung Ahn at Hanyang University provided a holistic perspective for
understanding the EV market in Korea. He stressed that the EV should be understood as a
platform where alternative energy sources, the Internet of Things, and transportation are
interconnected. Professor Ahn pointed out that, despite the government’s efforts to increase
the EV market with subsidies and financial incentives, the EV diffusion has been slow.
Instead, he suggested EV policies be based on the platform model. In this model, the goal is
to establish a virtuous circle that promotes more demand for EVs and more supply of
infrastructure. Transition from a subsidy-dependent market to a self-sustainable platform
market relies on how quickly an ecosystem or a network of users is set up. To expand the
size of a network in the development phase, the government may have to come up with
courageous policies such as a free charging station. To conclude, he reiterated the need for
convergence of energy policy and EV policy within a platform, and the significance of initial
infrastructure investment.
The participants showed their interest in Korea’s green transportation policies, as well as the
EV market in general. A discussion session continued among participants to discuss how to
create a synergy between EU and Korea both at the government and private sector level.
EU Climate Change Outreach Project in Korea
A project funded by the European Union 2016-2017
The roundtable discussion was the first event in a series of climate change discussions that
will be held under different themes by 2017. It is a part of the ‘EU Climate Change Outreach
in Korea’ project funded by the EU.
ENDS
For more information:

Social media (Facebook, Twitter):

Contact:
#CLIMADIPLO
Mr. In-Seung Kay
Communication Consultant, EU Climate Change Outreach Project
Tel: +82 (0)10-8873-4529
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Jungyoon Kim
Press Officer, EU Delegation to Korea
Tel: +82 (0)2 735-3788
Email: [email protected]