Real-world climate action, carbon neutrality and just transition central at 9th Chungcheongnam-do conference

This year’s conference, “Accelerating Just Transition and Climate Action”, brings together international climate experts, policymakers, civil society organisations, and business leaders, to share insights and strengthen collaboration on climate issues.  

As chair of the Under2 Coalition, Chungcheongnam-do is one of the leading subnational governments globally. Through the conference, it’ll share its policy experiences, keep its residents informed on global climate trends, and speed up international collaboration. 

The opening day will bring: 

• a keynote session on the importance of just transition and accelerated climate action. 
• three thematic sessions, focusing on just transition, climate adaptation, and citizen engagement. 
• The first session will, among other issues, focus on legislative and local leadership that drives climate justice; mitigating the unequal impact of climate change on marginalized or otherwise vulnerable populations. 
• The second session will explore practical solutions to resource and water challenges, and rethinking the plastic circular economy. 
• The final session will highlight citizen-led efforts to be carbon neutral in their daily lives, including how youth participants take active roles in raising climate awareness. 

The second day will be one of real-world action on full display:  

• participants can visit sites in Chungcheongnam-do that capture climate policy implementation, including in a region undergoing coal plant phase-out. This will give a firsthand insight into the unfolding energy transition, and how local communities are responding. 

As a region at the heart of Korea’s industrial development, Chungcheongnam-do is now phasing out coal-fired power, working with local communities to ensure a responsible and equitable transition.  

Through the conference it aims to lay out a regional blueprint for climate action and reaffirm its commitment to a sustainable future, with domestic and international partners.