South Korea shifts focus to adapting to climate change

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment began work on regulations to support the Climate Crisis Adaptation and Resilience Act, passed by the National Assembly in August.

The new law marks a shift from simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protecting citizens from increasingly frequent and severe climate disasters like heat waves, droughts, and heavy rainfall.

Previously, adaptation measures existed as part of broader carbon neutrality laws, but this act establishes a dedicated legal basis for strengthening the country’s ability to withstand climate impacts. The ministry plans to build the Climate Crisis Adaptation Information Integration Platform to standardize data and create visual climate risk maps. It will also create a Climate Crisis Adaptation Policy Council to coordinate adaptation plans across national and local governments, and require regular progress evaluations.

The government will conduct surveys to identify vulnerable populations and provide tailored support, and is also planning to introduce climate insurance and a comprehensive information system. Alongside these initiatives, the ministry will develop tools to support climate-related disclosures and foster new industries focused on climate adaptation.

Officials believe this law recognizes that climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, but a threat to overall economic and social security, especially for those most impacted by disasters and living in repeatedly affected areas. The government expects to finalize detailed standards through consultations and public notice over the next year, with the law taking full effect in the second half of 2027.