The seventh meeting of the EU-Republic of Korea Working Group on Energy, Environment and Climate took place on 23 October in Brussels. The meeting allowed for an in-depth exchange of views on respective policies and the prospects for further bilateral cooperation through the EU-Republic of Korea Green Partnership that was established in 2023.

They EU and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed that the launch of the Green Partnership was a significant step forward that demonstrates joint commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.

The Working Group was established in 2018 under the Framework Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea. It constitutes a platform for deepened dialogue on energy, environmental and climate change issues in the context of the addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and accelerating the transition to a net zero and circular economy.

The EU expressed its satisfaction with the outcomes of CBD COP16, emphasising its dedication to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and preparing its 7th national report to the CBD. Discussions also encompassed critical topics such as air pollution and chemical management, highlighting shared priorities. The meeting underscored the importance of a circular economy, with both parties expressing a keen interest in continued dialogue and cooperation in this area. Additionally, the session provided a valuable opportunity for exchanging views on advancing the Global Agreement on Plastics, particularly emphasising the necessity for transformative changes in governance and working methods to effectively address the plastic pollution crisis.

The discussions on energy focused on latest energy policy developments in both sides, global security of energy supply, and the clean energy transition, including on the reduction of methane emissions from energy value chains and offshore wind. The EU and the Republic of Korea also debriefed on the successful Clean Energy Ministerial that was held in Busan in August 2025, and exchanged on possible follow-up at COP30. In this context, the EU presented its Global Energy Transitions Forum, which strives to keep the momentum on tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030.

As regards the fight against climate change, the EU and the Republic of Korea underlined their unwavering commitments in pursuing the objectives of the Paris Agreement, as ambitious net-zero pathways by Parties contribute to keep the 1.5 Celsius global temperature increase within reach. In this context, the EU and the Republic of Korea exchanged views on the preparation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and discussed preparations and desired ambitions outcomes for the COP30 to be held soon in Belem, Brazil. The EU and the Republic of Korea stressed their strong intention to further deepen cooperation both in multilateral and bilateral settings. In particular on the bilateral front, they convened to consider opportunities in the area of finance for resilience, the reduction of F-gases emissions, as well as potential synergies in the area of clean tech production and industrial decarbonisation. 

The EU delegation, which included representatives of the European Commission Directorates-General for Climate Action, Energy and Environment, was led by the EU’s Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez. The Republic of Korea delegation was led by the Director-General for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Scientific Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Han Minyoung.

The next meeting of the EU-Republic of Korea Working Group on Energy, Environment and Climate Change will be held in 2026 in Seoul.