A view of the Ministry of Environment building at Government Complex Sejong / Courtesy of Ministry of Environment
By Jung Da-hyun
The Ministry of Environment is set to create a new bureau. This bureau will focus on international environmental rules and agreements. It’s called the International Cooperation Bureau.
The ministry announced that this plan will move into the legislative phase soon. They aim to have it established by the end of this month.
The creation of this bureau requires changes within the ministry. These changes need approval from the Cabinet, and they will take effect on February 25.
This new bureau will tackle various international regulations, including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a tariff system for goods entering the EU based on the carbon emissions from their production. It currently includes products like steel, aluminum, fertilizer, hydrogen, cement, and electricity.
The goal of CBAM is to prevent companies from moving production to countries with weaker emissions standards, thus avoiding stricter carbon regulations rather than genuinely reducing pollution. However, there are concerns that it might create trade barriers.
Recent discussions about a potential carbon tax in the U.S. have increased the urgency for countries to respond to these international regulations.
Besides focusing on regulations, the new bureau will also manage global environmental agreements. This includes treaties like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Moreover, it will lead negotiations for a global treaty to fight plastic pollution. Despite two years of discussions, no agreement was reached during the latest talks in Busan last year.
Finally, the bureau will support sustainable growth in developing countries, helping them address climate change challenges.
