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Climate action starts from cutting-edge technologies that can reduce carbon emissions, but those technologies must first be granted patents to be commercialized. In Korea, the Ministry of Intellectual Property assesses whether newly invented technologies are truly innovative and significant and issue patents. Kwon Goo-bum at the Ministry's Intellectual Property Office, formerly known as the Patent office, discussed the growing development of climate-related technologies such

While carbon capture is an innovative technology to achieve net-zero by removing emissions from the atmosphere, several challenges lie in its expansion for industrial usage. Kim Kyu-nam is a researcher who focuses on scaling carbon capture technologies from lab research to real-world, industrial production. Dr. Kim expressed that achieving net-zero requires both transitioning to clean energy and removing unavoidable emissions through carbon capture and expressed concerns for

Just as much attention is given to renewable energy as a promising sustainable solution, fuel cells deserve more recognition. Chae Geun-seok is a 30-year veteran researcher of fuel cells and currently a CEO of Second To None Hydrogen Energy (STH), a company specializing in fuel-cell catalysts. His expertise in fuel cells offered a valuable perspective on fuel cell's synergy with renewable energy and how scientific advancements alone cannot tackle net-zero.   Firstly, what kin

As the largest source of carbon emissions in many countries, the industrial sector’s commitment to sustainability plays a decisive role in shaping the national path toward net-zero. Behind such carbon reduction progress of leading businesses is the careful planning and arranging by the Corporate Planning Department. Kim Jong-yun at the chemicals and advanced materials business Toray's Corporate Planning Department spoke about the corporation's alignment and contribution to Ko

As companies strive to achieve net-zero goals, they often communicate with consulting firms specialized in such areas. This extensive interview with InnerGen's director Cho Jeaun introduced the intricate collaboration and a vital role that consulting firms play in leading corporations to a net-zero goal. It was impressive to learn the contributions of a greenhouse gas consulting firm, particularly the specific consulting cases that exhibited effects beyond emission reduction

Beyond carbon emissions created on land, a significant amount is also emitted in the sea. Port operations are at the heart of global trade, driving economic growth by facilitating international supply chains, yet is a major carbon emitter. In Korea, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has incorporated numerous projects to reduce carbon emissions to abide by the newly introduced NDC goal. Eom Ikhwan, the Ministry's Director of Port Logistics Planning, shared insight to the pr

Among several ongoing CCS projects is one succeeding exploration in the South China Sea oil field. This project is managed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), one of the largest oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world. Interviewing Wu Qilin, a manager of the current CCS project, offered perspective of what it means to observe, plan, and execute CCS projects upfront. Please introduce the oil field CCS project you are currently working on.

For global climate agreements and national carbon reduction goals to be accomplished, a standardized mechanism to track emissions is essential. Korea Electronics Technology Institute is currently researching and developing such devices, particularly in its Smart Network Research Center. Kim Young-han, the head of this research team, provided deep insight into the future of these carbon measurement devices and the imperative role it can play in carbon reduction. What is your r

Companies in the oil and gas exploration sector are exploring innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and Halliburton is no exception. Halliburton is one of the largest transnational corporations that provides products and services to the global energy industry. On its way to achieve 40% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 from the 2018 baseline, the company is exploring CCS as one of its net-zero strategies. Through a written interview, Halliburton's Techn

Expanding on one of the first interviews with SK EarthOn's Ji Sung-hoon, who explained their Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) investigation, today's interview is with Julia Davies at InCapture. InCapture  is a carbon store project developer based in Australia, and is currently collaborating with SK EarthOn on a new project along the western coast of Australia.  This enriching conversation with Ms. Davies, a CCS expert, introduced a new lens of viewing CCS as a complex interna

How solar cells can contribute to carbon neutrality and renewable energy expansion is a commonly thought notion. One Korean eco-friendly energy materials company exploring solar cell development is Hanhwa Solution. A researcher in the R&D team, Kim Keun-jin shared the biggest benefits of solar cells, and emphasized the need for long-term R&D policy support alongside continued advancements in solar efficiency and diversification. First, what kind of solar-related research is y

Among the rapidly developing battery industry is Lotte Chemical, a company that has a unique department called Future Technology Center within the Battery Materials division. This interview with Kim Jae-kyum, a senior researcher at the Future Technology Center, touched upon the battery industry's efforts to improve battery efficiency in an eco-friendly manner, but still highlighted that eco-friendliness and sustainability is yet to be recognized as a primary consideration for

Aside from large scale carbon reduction efforts such as CCS, changes for a net-zero future are being made through substances as small as carbon fiber. One expert in carbon fiber is Park Duk-myung, Sales Manager of the Composite Materials Division at Toray, a major chemicals and advanced materials business based in Japan. A conversation with Park introduced the crucial role carbon fiber plays in manufacturing materials and contributing to carbon reduction efforts.  What exactl

With a continued emphasis on the role that solar cells play in a wider range of energy and climate solutions, researchers are exploring how these technologies can be applied beyond traditional systems and adapted in more innovative ways. Lee Da-seul is a researcher at Gyeongnam Aerospace Defense Industry Science and Technology Institute, who recently started exploring how solar cells can be applied to outer space. Through this interview, she provided the perspective of a sola

As an extension to our previous Case Study article on Slovenia's model path to sustainability, we interviewed none other than the H.E. Ambassador Jerenj Müller at the Slovenian Embassy of Seoul, who embodies knowledge and diplomacy about climate change and sustainable solutions.  This comprehensive and meaningful discussion with the Ambassador allowed us a chance to learn deeper about Slovenia's diplomatic efforts to contribute to the world's journey to net-zero, as well as t

The current wave of competent researchers, business leaders, and climate activists commonly look up to one group of people—the future leaders who tackle climate change. One individual who cultivates such aspiring future climate leaders is Min Bae-hyeon, a professor at Ewha University.  This extensive fruitful discussion with Professor Min provided substantive insights into the uniqueness of his Climate and Energy Systems Engineering Department and its wide-ranging application

Along the similar lines of CCS and batteries, the energy storage system (ESS) is another prominent strategy for the world to gradually transition into eco-friendly energy usage. One company specializing in the development of ESS is SK Innovation E&S, and Team Leader of Renewable Energy, Bae Min-su, shared with us the company's progress. His responses about current challenges, ESG rating, and government policies, shed light to the complexities of ESS business and its importanc

Despite the pressing challenges of climate change and the rapidly approaching deadline for the 2035 NDC, Korea is still fraught with the rising demand for power generation. In light of the recent farmers' lawsuit against KEPCO for environmental damages, carbon emissions caused by coal power plants remains as a pressing issue for Korea's journey to net zero. One major contributor to carbon emissions from power generation is SK Hynix, a company that significantly relies on ener

Our previous discussions with battery researcher Shin Kyung-soo delved into the vital role that batteries play in creating systems that can efficiently store renewable energy. This interview with Lee Seung-yong at the LG Chem technology research lab expanded on the importance of batteries as an innovative solution to net-zero. Lee described how the battery technology is being invested and developed on the company level through LG Chem's strategy of battery process optimizatio

Beyond CCS, another unique method to undo the ever-increasing carbon emissions is CO₂ conversion. One researcher investigating such unique and innovative climate strategy is Won Da-hye at Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). She provided insights into the noteworthy effectiveness of CO₂ conversion, its application to businesses, as well as future opportunities in the technology's advancement. I heard that your uncle mentioned you’re researching CO₂ conversion cat